Monitoring of pet status during unattended delivery

ABSTRACT

Systems and techniques are described for pet monitoring during unattended delivery. In some implementations, a monitoring system monitors a property includes sensors located throughout the property and generates sensor data. A monitor control unit receives a first indication that a resident of the property will be receiving a delivery during a delivery time. Based on the sensor data and during the delivery time, the monitor control unit determines that a pet, that resides at the property, has been restrained. The monitor control unit provides, to a delivery person, a second indication that the pet at the property has been restrained.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/636,499, filed Feb. 28, 2018, which is incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This specification relates generally to pet monitoring during unattendeddelivery.

BACKGROUND

Many companies offer unattended deliveries to a residential area, suchas a house or apartment, where the delivery person gains access to theresidential area when the owner is not present in order to deliverpackages within the residency. In some residential areas, pets arepresent and often unrestrained, posing a threat to the delivery personor simply disrupting the delivery process.

SUMMARY

Many companies offer a service for a delivery person to deliver mail tothe property of an individual when the property is unattended. Theservice includes the delivery person gaining access to the property whenthe resident is not present and delivering the package within theresidency. However, some complications arise when the home poses athreat to the delivery person or simply disrupts the delivery process.For example, some properties can include pets that are present and oftenunrestrained during the delivery person's unattended delivery. Anunidentified intruder (e.g., the delivery person) can alarm some petsand may seek to attack the unidentified intruder, thus interrupting thedelivery process. In order to avoid such complications, a homemonitoring system can monitor the status of household pets using digitalcommunication processes between the resident, the property, and thedelivery person.

The subject matter of the present disclosure is related to techniques ofan integrated security environment for monitoring pet status during anunattended delivery at a residential facility. The residential facilitymay include one or more pets, such as dogs, birds, cats, that requirerestraining during the unattended delivery of package at the residentialfacility. In addition, the integrated security environment can includeone or more devices that properly monitor the status of the pets inorder to provide an indication to the delivery person to indicate asafety level for entering the property to deliver the package.

In one general aspect, a method is performed by one or more computers ofa monitoring system. The method includes receiving, by a monitoringsystem that is configured to monitor a property, a first indication thata resident of the property will be receiving a delivery during adelivery time; receiving, by the monitoring system, sensor data from asensor that is located at the property; based on the sensor data,determining, by the monitoring system, that a pet, that resides at theproperty, has been restrained; providing, by the monitoring system andto a delivery person, a second indication that the pet at the propertyhas been restrained.

Other embodiments of this and other aspects of the disclosure includecorresponding systems, apparatus, and computer programs, configured toperform the actions of the methods, encoded on computer storage devices.A system of one or more computers can be so configured by virtue ofsoftware, firmware, hardware, or a combination of them installed on thesystem that in operation cause the system to perform the actions. One ormore computer programs can be so configured by virtue havinginstructions that, when executed by data processing apparatus, cause theapparatus to perform the actions.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. Forexample, in some implementations, in response to providing, to thedelivery person, the second indication that the pet at the property hasbeen restrained, receiving a notification from the delivery personconfirming that the pet in the property is restrained after the deliveryperson has arrived at the property; based on receiving the notificationfrom the delivery person confirming that the pet in the property isrestrained, storing the sensor data and data indicating a restrainedpet; and updating a model or a rule used to determine whether a pet isrestrained based on sensor data using the stored sensor data and thestored data indicating a restrained pet.

In some implementations, the method further includes wherein the sensoris a camera and the sensor data is image data, and comprising:determining that the pet has been restrained by: receiving, from a smartcollar connected to the pet, smart collar data; and based on the smartcollar data and the image data, determining that the pet has beenrestrained in the property.

In some implementations, the method further includes receiving dataindicating that an additional pet resides at the property; and based onthe image data and the smart collar data, determining that the pet andthe additional pet have been restrained.

In some implementations, the method further includes receiving dataindicating that an additional pet resides at the property; based on theimage data and the smart collar data, determining that at least one ofthe pet and the additional pet have not been restrained; and providing,to the resident or the other resident of the property, a notificationindicating that at least one of the pet or the additional pet have notbeen restrained.

In some implementations, the method further includes wherein the smartcollar data comprises an identifier of the smart collar, a GPScoordinate of the smart collar, and an indication of whether the smartcollar is attached to the pet.

In some implementations, the method further includes receiving a thirdindication that the resident of the property will be receiving anadditional delivery during an additional delivery time; based on thesensor data, determining that no pets reside at the property; andproviding, to the delivery person, a third indication that no petsreside at the property.

In some implementations, the method further includes determining thatthe pet is located within an electronic pet fence at the property duringthe delivery time; before the delivery time, adjusting a boundary of theelectronic pet fence to generate a safe zone that restricts pet movementinto the safe zone and that provides the delivery person access to theproperty; determining that the delivery person has accessed and vacatedthe property; and in response to determining that the delivery personhas accessed and vacated the property, adjusting the boundary of theelectronic pet fence to provide the pet access to the safe zone.

In some implementations, the method further includes receiving a thirdindication that the resident of the property will be receiving anadditional delivery during an additional delivery time; based on thesensor data and before the delivery time, determining that the pet isnot restrained; based on determining that the pet is not restrained,providing a notification to a smart collar of the pet to encourage thepet to vacate a safe zone that is defined by an electronic pet fence atthe property, wherein the safe zone provided the delivery person accessto the property; adjusting a boundary of the electronic pet fence togenerate the safe zone; determining that the delivery person hasaccessed and vacated the property; and in response to determining thatthe delivery person has accessed and vacated the property, adjusting theboundary of the electronic pet fence to provide the pet access to thesafe zone.

In some implementations, the method further includes wherein thenotification provided to the smart collar comprises at least one of avibration, a noise, and a shock.

In some implementations, the method further includes based ondetermining that the pet resides at the property, determining that theproperty will likely be unoccupied during the delivery time; andproviding, to the resident or another resident of the property, aninstruction to restrain the pet before the delivery time.

The details of one or more embodiments of the subject matter of thisspecification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and thedescription below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of thesubject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings,and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a contextual diagram of an example system of an integratedsecurity environment for monitoring pet status during an unattendeddelivery.

FIG. 2A is a context diagram of an example system of an integratedsecurity environment for outdoor pet management during deliveries.

FIG. 2B is another context diagram of an example system of an integratedsecurity environment for outdoor pet management during deliveries.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an example process for providing an alert basedon a determination that a particular event related to the monitored petstatus has occurred.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example process for configuring anadjustable pet fence at a monitored property based on a determinationthat a particular event related to the monitored pet status hasoccurred.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example integrated monitoring server formonitoring a pet status during an unattended delivery at a residentialfacility that may utilize various security components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a contextual diagram of an example system 100 of an integratedsecurity environment for monitoring pet status during an unattendeddelivery. Though system 100 is shown and described including aparticular set of components that include a control unit 104, network106, speakers 108, cameras 110, lights 112, sensors 114, home devices116, network 140, monitoring server 142, and delivery system database144, the present disclosure need not be so limited. For instance, insome implementations only a subset of the aforementioned components maybe used by the integrated security environment for monitoring pet statusduring an unattended delivery at the residential facility. As anexample, there may be implementations that do not use the speakers 108.Similarly, there may be implementations that the monitoring server 142is stored in one or more servers of the control unit 104. Yet otheralternative exemplary systems also fall within the scope of the presentdisclosure such as a system that does not use a control unit server 104.For these reasons, the system 100 should not be viewed as limiting thepresent disclosure to any particular set of necessary components.

As shown in FIG. 1, residential facility 102 (e.g., a home) is monitoredby various devices that communicate with a control unit server 104. Forexample, the residential facility 102 includes a control unit server 104that includes components within the residential facility 102 forproviding an alert to the property owner 130 and one or deliveryindividuals, such as delivery person 148. The components within theresidential facility 102 may include one or more speakers 108, one ormore cameras 110, one or more lights 112, one or more sensors 114, andone or more home devices 116. The one or more cameras 110 may includevideo cameras that are located at the exterior of the residentialfacility 102 near the front door 118, such as video camera 111, as wellas located at the interior of the residential facility 102 near thefront door 118. In addition, the video camera 111 may be placed at theexterior of the residential facility 102 facing the backyard 129 tomonitor pets located in the backyard 129.

The one or more sensors 114 may include a motion sensor located at theexterior of the residential facility 102, a front door sensor that is acontact sensor positioned at the front door 118, and a lock sensor thatis positioned at the front door 118. The contact sensor may sensewhether the front door 118 is in an open position or a closed position.The lock sensor may sense whether the front door 118 is in an unlockedposition or a locked position. The one or more home devices 116 mayinclude home appliances such as a washing machine, a dryer, adishwasher, an oven, a stove, a microwave, and a laptop, to name a fewexamples.

The residential facility 102 may further include a pet crate 122 and asmart crate lock 123. The crate 122 houses one or more of the pets, e.g.dog 128, cat 124, and/or other dog 126, for restraining purposes. Thecrate 122 includes a door mechanism to open and shut the crate 122. Thecrate 122 can be locked such that the one or more pets cannot enter orexit the crate 122.

In some implementations, the property owner 130 can lock the crate 122with a lock, such as a smart crate lock 123. The smart crate lock 123can provide an indication to the control unit server 104 that the crate122 has been locked. Alternatively, the smart crate lock 123 can providean indication to the control unit server 104 when the crate 122 has beenunlocked. The smart crate lock 123 can provide the locked or unlockedindication to the control unit server 104 on a periodic basis. Forexample, the periodic basis may be on an hourly basis or a per minutebasis. In some implementations, the control unit server 104 may onlyreport the status of the smart crate lock 123 when the residentialfacility 102 has been armed, which will be further described below. Insome implementations, the control unit server 104 may request for astatus from the smart crate lock 123. The status can include a locked orunlocked status.

In some implementations, each of the one or more pets (e.g., cat 124,other dog 126, and dog 128) may wear a smart collar 127. The smartcollar 127 can wrap around the neck or an appendage of each of the oneor more pets. The control unit server 104 can communicate with each ofthe smart collars 127. Each smart collar 127 provides a statusindication to the control unit server 104 that includes an identifier ofthe smart collar 127, a locked or unlocked status, and a GPS positionalcoordinate of the corresponding smart collar 127's location. The controlunit server 104 can request for the status from each of the smart collar127. In some implementations, the control unit server 104 can providethe status of each smart collar 127 to the client device 136 of theproperty owner 130. This will be further described below.

The control unit server 104 communicates over a short-range wired orwireless connection over network 106 with connected devices such as eachof the one or more speakers 108, one or more cameras 110, one or morelights 112, one or more sensors 114 a, one or more home devices 116(washing machine, a dryer, a dishwasher, an oven, a stove, a microwave,a laptop, etc.), the smart crate lock 123, and the smart collar 127. Thecontrol unit server 104 seeks to receive sensor data descriptive ofevents detected by the one or more cameras 110, the one or more sensors114, the one or more home devices 116, the smart crate lock 123, and thesmart collar 127 in the residential facility 102.

In some implementations, the connected devices may connect via Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, or any other protocol used to communicate over network 106 tothe control unit server 104. Additionally, the control unit server 104communicates over a long-range wired or wireless connection with amonitoring server 142 over network 140 over one or more communicationlinks. In some implementations, the monitoring server 142 is locatedremote from the residential facility 102, and manages the monitoring atthe residential facility 102, as well as other (and, perhaps, many more)monitoring systems located at different properties that are owned bydifferent users. In other implementations, the monitoring server 142 islocated locally at the residential facility 102. The monitoring server142 communicates bi-directionally with the control unit server 104.Specifically, the monitoring server 142 receives sensor data descriptiveof events detected by the sensors included in the monitoring system ofthe residential facility 102. Additionally, the monitoring server 142transmits instructions to the control unit server 104 for particularevents.

In some implementations, the monitoring server 142 communicates with adelivery system database 144. The delivery system database 144 includesdata corresponding to various delivery companies. For instance, the datacorresponding to various delivery companies includes the name of thedelivery company, contact information for the delivery company, andcontact information for delivery persons of the delivery company. Themonitoring server 142 can use the data provided in the delivery systemdatabase 144 to communicate with the delivery person 148. In someimplementations, the monitoring server 142 may communicate with thedelivery system database 144 over the Internet.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, a property owner 130 may place an orderfor delivery of a package using client device 136. The client device 136may display a web interface, an application, or a device specificapplication for package ordering. The client device 136 can be, forexample, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, awearable computer, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a music player, ane-book reader, a navigation system, a security panel, or any otherappropriate computing device. In some implementations, the client device136 may communicate with the control unit server 104 using the network106 over one or more communication links. The network 106 may be wiredor wireless or a combination of both and can include the Internet.

In some implementations, property owner 130 may communicate with theclient device 136 to activate a signature profile for the residentialfacility 102. The client device 136 may display an interactiveapplication for setting a signature profile of the smart home. Forinstance, property owner 130 may first instruct the control unit server104 to set a signature profile corresponding to arming the home at theresidential facility 102. For example, property owner 130 may use avoice command to say “Smart Home, arm home.” The voice command mayinclude a phrase, such as “Smart Home” to trigger the client device 136to actively listen to a command following the phrase. Additionally, thephrase “Smart Home” may be a predefined user configured term tocommunicate with the client device 136. The client device 136 can sendthe voice command to the control unit server 104 over the network 106.The control unit server 104 may notify the monitoring server 142 thatresidential facility 102 is to arm the residential facility 102. In someimplementations, the property owner 130 may communicate with a monitor120 that includes a microphone to activate a signature profile for theresidential facility 102. The monitor 120 performs similar functionalityto the client device 136 for voice commands and communicates with thecontrol unit server 104 for profile activation.

In addition, the control unit 104 may set associated parameters inresponse to receiving the voice command. Moreover, the control unit 104can send back a confirmation to the client device 136 or monitor 120 inresponse to arming the residential facility 102 and setting theassociated parameters. For example, the control unit server 104 may sendback a response to display a message on the client device 136 that says“Smart Home, home armed.”

In some implementations, the property owner 130 may set other signatureprofiles for the residential facility 102. For example, the othersignature profiles may include monitoring pets, unarming the home, andunattended package delivery. In some implementations, in order for thecontrol unit server 104 to allow property owner 130 and others toactivate a signature profile for the residential facility 102, theproperty owner 130 and others may define and store signature profiles inthe control unit 104. In other implementations, the property owner 130and others may define and store signature profiles in the monitoringserver 142. The signature profile may be associated with each user andallow for various use cases of the devices in the residential facility102. Each of the signature profiles can be associated with one user,such as property owner 130. For example, property owner 130 may create asignature profile for monitoring the pets at the residential facility102.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, various operations in stages (A) to (E)are illustrated which can be performed in the sequence indicated or inanother sequence. The property owner 130 may own one or more pets, suchas, a cat 124, a dog 128, and another dog 126, living in residentialfacility 102. The property owner 130 may receive a notification from thecontrol unit server 104 to restrain each of his or her pets upon leavingthe residential facility 102. Based on (i) a determination that theproperty owner 130 is set to receive a package later that day, (ii) adetermination that each of the one or more pets are not currentlyrestrained, and (iii) a determination that the property owner 130 isleaving residential facility 102, the control unit server 104 transmitsan indication to the client device 136 to restrain each of the petsbefore leaving.

Once the property owner 130 restrains each of his or her pets, theproperty owner 130 provides an indication to the control unit server 104that the pets have been restrained. In response, the control unit server104 can provide an indication to the delivery company delivering thepackage that the pets at the residential facility 102 have beenrestrained. Additionally, the control unit server 104 provides theindication to a delivery person 148 of the delivery company deliveringthe package when the delivery person 148 is detected within proximity ofthe residential facility 102 that the pets of the residential facility102 have been restrained. The control unit server 104 may then receive anotification from the delivery person 148 that indicates a confirmationthat the pets in the residential facility 102 are indeed restrained.Alternatively, the control unit server 104 may receive a notificationfrom the delivery person 148 that at least one of the pets of theresidential facility 102 is not restrained. As a result, the deliveryperson 148 placed the package outside the front door 118 and indicatesto the control unit server 104 that the package 151 is placed outsidethe front door 118. In response, the control unit server 104 may providean indication to the property owner 130 indicating that one of the petsis not restrained.

During stage (A), the control unit server 104 provides an indication 132to the client device 136 of the property owner 130 that indicates torestrain the one or more pets before leaving. The control unit server104 provides this indication 132 to the client device 136 when thecontrol unit server 104 identifies at least three qualifying conditions.Those qualifying conditions include: (i) a determination that theproperty owner 130 has left the residential facility 102, (ii) adetermination that the property owner 130 is expected to receive apackage on the same day the control unit server 104 determines that theproperty owner 130 has left the residential facility 102, and (iii) adetermination that the one or more pets living in the residentialfacility 102 are not restrained.

For the first condition, the control unit server 104 can determine thatproperty owner 130 has left the residential facility 102 using at leastone of the following various ways. In particular, the control unitserver 104 can receive an indication that the front door 118 has beenopened, the property owner 130 has set the arm home signature profile,each home device 116 has been turned off, the video camera 111 locatedoutside the front door 118 detects movement, and the garage door for theresidential facility 102 has opened. In some implementations, at leastone of these qualifying events is sufficient to meet the condition thatproperty owner 130 has left the residential facility 102. In otherimplementations, the control unit server 104 can utilize all of theindications to determine that the property owner 130 has left theresidential facility 102.

In some implementations, the video camera 111 located outside the frontdoor 118 may be able to detect that an individual, such as the propertyowner 130, is walking away from the residential property 102 using oneor more machine learning algorithms. The one or more machine learningalgorithms can include one or more neural networks that are trained todetect movement from humans or animals. The video camera 111 utilizesthese machine-learning algorithms to detect human movement outside theresidential facility 102. In response to detecting the human movement,the video camera 111 transmits the video footage and an indication ofdetected movement to the control unit server 104. After the control unitserver 104 receives the video footage and the indication of detectmovement, the control unit server 104 proceeds to check the nextqualifying condition of whether the property owner 130 is expected toreceive a package that same day.

In some implementations, the control unit server 104 can determine thatproperty owner 130 is expected to receive a package 151. In particular,the control unit server 104 can determine if the property owner 130placed an order for delivery of a package 151 through the property owner130's smart home application on client device 136. In otherimplementations, the control unit server 104 can request a response fromproperty owner 130 through client device 136 that asks if he/she isexpecting to receive a package 151 today. In other implementations, thecontrol unit server 104 can communicate with the delivery systemdatabase 144 over the network 140 and through the monitoring server 142to determine if property owner 130 placed a delivery order for package151 through any of the delivery companies. In addition, the control unitserver 104 can determine from communicating with the delivery systemdatabase 144 whether any of the delivery companies plan to deliver apackage to the residential facility 102. If the control unit server 104determines that at least one delivery company plans to deliver a package151 to the residential facility 102, the control unit server 104 candetermine that the second qualifying condition is met. The control unitserver 104 proceeds to check the last qualifying condition of whetherthe one or more pets living in the residential facility 102 arerestrained.

In other implementations, the control unit server 104 can determine thatthe property owner 130 will be away from the residential property 102during an expected delivery time. For instance, the control unit server104 can determine that the property owner 130 is away from theresidential property 102 during the times of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm duringMonday through Friday. The control unit server 104 can determine thatthe property owner 130 sets the arm home signature profile at 8:00 amand turns off the arm home signature profile at 4:00 pm each day of theweek. In addition, the control unit server 104 utilizes recognitionsoftware in the video camera 111 to determine that the property owner130 is walking away from the residential facility 102 around 8:00 am andwalks towards the residential facility 102 at 4:00 pm.

In some implementations, the property owner 130 can indicate to thecontrol unit server 104 that he or she will be away from the residentialfacility 102. For instance, the property owner 130 can input in thesmart home application on client device 136 that he or she will be away.In addition, the property owner 130 setting the arm home profileindicates to the control unit server 104 that the property owner 130will be away from the residential facility 102.

In some implementations, the control unit server 104 can determine thata delivery company plans to deliver a package 151 to the residentialfacility 102 during a specified time of the day. For instance, thecontrol unit server 104 can retrieve the contact information from thedelivery system database 144 for the delivery company that plans todeliver the package 151 to the residential facility 102. The controlunit server 104 can contact the delivery company using the deliverycompany's contact information (e.g., telephone number, email address,URL address, or other similar contact information) to request for adelivery time. In other implementations, the control unit server 104 cantransmit a request to property owner 130's client device 136 toascertain of the potential delivery time from the property owner 130. Insome cases, the property owner 130 may be aware of the delivery time. Insome implementations, the delivery company may transmit an indication tothe control unit server 104 that they plan to deliver a package 151 tothe residential property 102. As a result, the control unit server 104may provide a notification to the client device 136 that indicates tothe property owner 130 what package 151 is being delivered and anexpected delivery time.

The control unit server 104 can determine whether the one or more petsliving in the residential facility 102 are restrained at the specifiedtime of delivery. For example, during the specified delivery time orbefore the specified delivery time is imminent, the control unit server104 can turn the lights 112 on in each of the rooms in the residentialfacility 102 and request current video footage from cameras 110 locatedin the residential facility, such as video camera 111. The cameras 110can be trained to detect and recognize one or more pets located in theresidential facility 102 using recognition software during the deliverytime. Additionally, the cameras 110 can be trained to detect one or morepets located outside the residential facility 102, such as in thebackyard 129, the front yard, or the side yard. In some implementations,the cameras 110 can provide an indication of pet detection to thecontrol unit server 104 along with the recorded video footage that showsthe detected pet during the delivery time.

In some implementations, the pets may wear a smart collar 127 that wrapsaround the neck or one of the appendages of the pets. Each smart collar127 can communicate with the control unit server 104 using eithershort-range or long-range communication protocols. Each smart collar 127can provide a status indication to the control unit server 104 thatincludes an identifier of the smart collar 127, an indication of whetherthe collar is locked or unlocked around the neck or one of theappendages of the pets, and a GPS positional coordinate of thecorresponding smart collar 127's location. The cat 124, the other dog126, and the dog 128 can each wear a smart collar 127 that allows theproperty owner 130 and the control unit server 104 to track the statusand location of each pet in the residential facility 102.

In some implementations, the control unit server 104 can direct thecameras 110 to the location of each smart collar 127. In particular, thecontrol unit server 104 can transmit a request to each smart collar 127for its respective location. Each smart collar 127 can transmit thestatus location to the control unit server 104. In response, the controlunit server 104 can instruct each camera in the cameras 110 to point toa location in the residential facility 102 that corresponds to eachrespective location of the smart collar 127. In addition, the controlunit server 104 can instruct each camera in the cameras 110 to recordvideo at the respective location of the smart collar 127 for apredetermined period of time. For example, the period of time caninclude minutes to hours. The purpose of the control unit server 104'sinstruction is to use the cameras 110 and/or each smart collar 127 todetermine whether each pet is currently restrained. In particular, thecontrol unit server 104's instruction is to determine whether each petis currently restrained during the delivery time of the delivery person148.

In some implementations, the control unit server 104 can store a numberof pets living in the residential facility 102 in its memory. In someimplementations, the control unit server 104 can request for theproperty owner 130 to enter in a number of pets living in theresidential facility 102 on the client device 136. For instance, thesmart home application on the client device 136 provides a prompt forthe property owner 130 to input a number of pets living in theresidential facility 102. In response, the client device 136 transmitsthe number of pets entered in by the property owner 130 to store inmemory in the control unit server 104.

In other implementations, the control unit server 104 can use the one ormore machine learning algorithms implemented in the cameras 110 to learnhow many pets exist in the residential facility 102. For example, theone or more machine learning algorithms implemented in the cameras 110can detect each pet living in the residential facility 102 through videofootage. As a result, each time a pet is detected in the video footageby the machine-learning algorithms, the control unit server 104 canstore a corresponding number in its memory. The control unit server 104can decipher from the video footage provided by the video cameras 110 ifthe detected pet is a new pet or a previously detected pet. If thecontrol unit server 104 determines the detected pet is a new pet, thecorresponding pet count number in memory is incremented.

In some implementations, the control unit server 104 instructs thecamera 110 to activate in order to detect whether a pet is restrained.The control unit server 104 requests a camera, such as camera 111, torecord in various locations of the residential facility 102 to determinewhether a pet is restrained. The various locations may include theresidential facility 102's backyard 129, a bedroom of the residentialfacility 102, the crate 122, a garage of the residential facility 102,and the basement of the residential facility 102. The residentialfacility 102 can include a camera 111 from cameras 110 pointing at eachof these locations. When the control unit server 104 is in the processof determining whether each of the pets in the residential facility 102is restrained, the control unit server 104 may request a status fromeach of the cameras 110 to indicate if the pet is restrained. Forexample, the control unit server 104 requests from each camera 111pointed at the backyard, a bedroom of the residential facility 102 withthe bedroom's door closed, the crate 122, a garage of the residentialfacility 102, and the basement of the residential facility 102 toprovide an indication of whether a pet is located in that location. Inother implementations, the control unit server 104 determines whethereach of the pets in the various locations is restrained using recordedvideo footage from each of the cameras 110.

In some implementations, the control unit server 104 may receive anindication from a digital lock mechanism 123 to indicate whether a petis restrained. For example, the digital lock mechanism 123 may be hookedon the crate 122 or on a pet door. The digital lock mechanism 123 canprovide an indication of being locked or unlocked to the control unitserver 104. Additionally, the digital lock mechanism 123 can provide theindication to the client device 136 of the property owner 130 toindicate whether the pet is restrained behind the digital lock mechanism123. In some implementations, the control unit server 104 can request astatus of the digital lock mechanism 123 to determine whether a pet,such as dog 128, is restrained. Additionally, the property owner 130 canrequest a status of the digital lock mechanism 123 using the clientdevice 136 to determine whether the pet is still restrained either inthe crate 122 or behind the pet door, depending on whether the digitallock mechanism 123 is attached to the crate 122 or the pet door. As willbe further discussed below, the control unit server 104 can provide thestatus indication of the digital lock mechanism to the client device 152of the delivery person 148. This will be helpful to in determiningwhether the delivery person 148 will feel safe in entering theresidential property 102.

In some implementations, upon receiving an indication from each of thecameras 110 pointed at the various locations, the control unit server104 counts the number of indications that indicate a pet exists at thevarious locations reported by the camera 110. For example, the controlunit server 104 indicates a pet exists when the control unit server 104determines a detected pet exists in the residential facility 102. Saidanother way, if five cameras 110 pointing at different locations in theresidential facility 102 each detect an indication of a pet, then thecontrol unit server 104 will count the number of pets in the residentialfacility 102 to be five.

The control unit server 104 then compares the count of the indicationsthat the pet exists at the various locations to the number storedindicating the number of pets living in the residential facility 102. Ifthe comparison returns a match, the control unit server 104 produces astatus that indicates all the pets are restrained during the specifieddelivery time. For example, the other dog 126 may be found to be locatedin the backyard 129; the dog 128 may be found to be located in the crate122, and the cat 124 located in property owner 130's bedroom. Inaddition, the control unit server 104 knows that three pets live in theresidential facility 102. By comparison, the number of pets living inthe residential facility 102 matches the number of pets found to be inlocations that indicate the pet is restrained. Therefore, the controlunit server 104 does not provide an indication to the client device 136of the property owner 130. In other implementations, the control unitserver 104 can count the number of statuses as locked provided by thesmart collar 127 as the number of pets found in the residential facility102.

In some implementations, the control unit server 104 may determine thatthe number of pets found in the restrained locations is less than thenumber of pets living in the residential facility 102. In particular,this comparison indicates to the control unit server 104 that at leastone of the pets living in the residential facility 102 is unrestrained.As a result, the control unit server 104 can transmit a notification 132to the client device 136 that provides a message 134 to the propertyowner 130. As illustrated in the example of FIG. 1, the message 134indicates to the property owner 130 to “restrain all pets beforeleaving” on client device 136. In other implementations, the message 134indicates to the property owner 130 to “restrain all pets as the packageis expected to be delivered now” on client device 136. In otherimplementations, the control unit server 104 may determine which pet isunrestrained using facial and/or object recognition, and compare theresults of the recognition to known pets living in the monitoredproperty 102. Thus, the control unit server 104 can indicate to theproperty owner 130 to restrain a particular pet, such as dog 126, as thedog 226 is currently unrestrained and the delivery is imminent.

In some implementations, the control unit server 104 can provide amessage 134 to client device 136 that indicates which pet needs to berestrained. For example, if the camera 111 facing the cage 122 does notdetect a pet within the cage 122, the control unit server 104 canprovide a message 134 that indicates to the property owner 130 to“restrain dog in cage” on client device 136. In some implementations,the control unit server 104 can provide the message 134 to the display121 of monitor 120. By providing the message 134 to the display 121, theproperty owner 130 can receive the message 134 in other forms if theirclient device 136 is turned off or not nearby.

During stage (B), the property owner 130 provides an indication 138 tocontrol unit 104 using client device 136 that all pets are restrained.The property owner 130 restrains each pet in either the backyard 129,the cage 122, a bedroom of the residential facility 102 and closes thebedroom door, or a garage of the residential facility 102. Once theproperty owner 130 properly restrains each of the pets, the propertyowner 130 interacts with the smart home application on the client device136 to indicate that all of the pets are restrained. In particular, theclient device 136 transmits a notification 138 that includes a messageand a client device identifier to the control unit server 104.

In some implementations, the property owner 130 can provide anindication of a “no pets at home” status in the indication 138. Theproperty owner 130 can provide the “no pets at home” status using thesmart home application on the client device 136. The “no pets at home”status indicates that the residential facility 102 does include one ormore pets but the pets are not present. For instance, the one or morepets may be at the veterinarian, out at the dog park, or at anotherindividuals' residence. The “no pets at home” status indicates to thecontrol unit server 104 that no pets will be found in the residentialfacility 102. In some implementations, the control unit server 104 orthe monitoring system 142 can provide this “no pets at home” status tothe delivery person 148 upon detecting his or her proximity to theresidential facility 102 to indicate that it is safe to deliver thepackage. In other implementations, the control unit server 104 can usethe smart collar 127 worn by each pet to determine the “no pets at home”status. For instance, the control unit server 104 is aware that at leastthree pets live in the house but cannot detect the signal from any ofthe smart collars 127. Additionally, to aid the control unit server 104in distinguishing between determining whether the smart collars 127 areturned off or outside the residential facility 102, the control unitserver 104 can transmit a request to the client device 136 to requestfor input from the property owner 130 for the location of each of thepets. The property owner 130 can then indicate on the client device 136that the smart collars 127 are turned off or that the pets smart collars127 are worn and the pets are not in the residential facility 102. Inother implementations, the control unit server 104 can utilize videoanalytics from live or recorded video of the cameras 110 that indicatethe location of the pets. The control unit server 104 can userecognition software in the video analytics that determines whether eachof the pets left the residential facility 102 or still reside in theresidential facility 102.

In some implementations, the property owner 130 can indicate on theclient device 136 whether to provide video verification of the pet inthe restrained state to the control unit server 104. For example, videocamera 111 can record video of dog 128 restrained and locked in crate122 by digital lock mechanism 123. The property owner 130 can indicateusing the smart home application on the client device 136 that the videorecording will not be provided to the control unit server 104. As such,the video recording of the dog 128 in the crate 122 will not be providedto the delivery person 148. Alternatively, the property owner 130 canindicate using the smart home application on the client device 136 thatthe video recording can be provided to the control unit server 104.

During stage (C), the control unit server 104 received the indication138 from the client device 136 indicating that each of the pets havebeen restrained. In some implementations, the notification 138 canindicate to the control unit server 104 which pets were restrained. Inaddition, the notification 138 can indicate to the control unit server104 a location where each pet is restrained. For instance, the propertyowner 130 can indicate that the other dog 126 is restrained in thebackyard 129, the dog 128 is restrained in the crate 122, and the cat124 is restrained in a bedroom. The control unit server 104 can storethis information from the notification 138 in memory for laterinstruction to a delivery person 148. In particular, the laterinstruction to the delivery person 148 can indicate that the residentialfacility 102 is safe for entering.

In some implementations, the control unit server 104 can retrievecontact information for sending a verification to the delivery companyindicating that the pets in residential facility 102 are restrained. Thecontrol unit server 104 can retrieve the contact information of thedelivery company from the delivery system database 144 through themonitoring server 142. For instance, the control unit server 104 cantransmit an indication to the monitoring server 142 that requests forthe contact information from the delivery system database 144. Theindication can include the name of the delivery company, the contactinformation of the property owner 130 receiving the package, and theaddress information of the residential facility 102. The monitoringserver 142 uses this information provided in the indication to retrievethe contact information of the delivery company. For example, thecontact information of the delivery company can include an e-mailaddress of the delivery company, an IP address to contact the deliverycompany, a website of the delivery company, and a telephone number ofthe delivery company.

The monitoring server 142 can provide an indication to the deliverycompany that the pets of residential facility 102 have all beenrestrained at the specified time of delivery. This indicates to thedelivery company that the residential facility 102 is safe for thedelivery person 148 to enter the residential facility 102 and deliverthe package 151. In addition, the monitoring server 142 provides thecontact information of the delivery person 148 delivering the package151 to the control unit 104. For example, the contact information of thedelivery person 148 can include a telephone number of the deliveryperson 148's mobile device 152 and an email address of the deliveryperson 148, to name a few examples. The control unit 104 can thencontact the delivery person 148 to inform him or her that residentialfacility 102 has one or more pets and that the pets are in factrestrained.

During stage (D), the control unit 104 detects that the delivery person148 is within proximity to the residential facility 102. For instance,the control unit 104 can receive an indication from the monitoringserver 142 when the delivery person 148 is within proximity to theresidential facility 102. The monitoring server 142 can remain incontact with the delivery company that provides an indication of anestimated arrival time for the delivery person 148 to arrive at theresidential facility 102. Additionally, the delivery company may provideGPS positional information to the monitoring server 142 of the deliveryperson 148 so that the monitoring server 142 can track his or herlocation. In some implementations, the monitoring server 142 can providethe GPS positional information to the control unit server 104 fortracking the delivery person 148. For example, the GPS positionalinformation can relate to latitudinal, longitudinal, and timeinformation of client device 152 corresponding to the delivery person148. Additionally or alternatively, the GPS positional information canbe provided to the control unit server 104 or the monitoring server 142during the entire path travelled by the delivery person 148 from thepickup of the package 151 to the residential facility 102. In someimplementations, the delivery company can provide an indication directlyto the client device 136 of the property owner 130 that indicates a realtime location of the delivery person 148. In some implementations, thedelivery person 148 may include a beacon or other transmitter thattransmits an indication to the control unit server 104, the monitoringserver 142, or the client device 136 that indicates the delivery person148 arrived. In particular, the indication can be a beacon frame oranother wireless ID identifier that signifies the presence of thedelivery person 148.

In some implementations, the control unit server 104 can track the GPSpositional information of the delivery person 148 to detect when thedelivery person 148 is within proximity to the residential facility 102.For example, the control unit server 104 can use the GPS positionalinformation of the client device 152 to monitor the positionalinformation of the delivery person 148. When the GPS positionalinformation of the client device 152 indicates that the delivery person148 is within proximity to the residential facility 102, such as 1 milefrom the residential facility 102, for example, the control unit server104 can transmit a message 146 to the client device 152 of the deliveryperson 148. The message 146 includes an indication of whether theresidential facility 102 includes pets, the number of pets in theresidential facility 102, the type of each of the pets, and anindication as to whether each of the pets have been restrained. Forinstance, the message 146 can include a status that the residentialfacility 102 does include pets; the pets include two dogs and a cat;and, a status 150 that indicates the “pets have been restrained.” Insome implementations, the delivery person 148 can provide an indicationto the control unit server 104 that he or she is within proximity to theresidential facility 102. For instance, the delivery person 148 canprovide an indication via client device 152 that he or she isapproaching the driveway or front door 118 of the residential facility102 to deliver the package 151.

In some implementations, the delivery person 148 can confirm whethereach of the pets in the residential facility 102 has been restrained.For instance, the delivery person 148 can check the backyard 129 of theresidential facility 102 before entering the front door 118 of theresidential facility 102. In another instance, the delivery person 148approaches the front door 118 of the residential facility 102 and candetermine if each of the pets have been restrained. For example, if thedog 128 is not restrained, the delivery person 148 may be able to hearthe dog 128 barking near the inside of the front door 118. Additionally,if the residential facility 102 includes one or more windows, thedelivery person 148 may detect other dog 126 or dog 128 in the windowsunrestrained. In other instances, the delivery person 148 may not detectwhether the one or more pets are restrained until entering theresidential facility 102.

In some implementations, the control unit server 104 provides a statusto the client device 152 of the delivery person 148 indicating that eachpet is restrained. The delivery person 148 can indicate to the controlunit server 104 through an application on the client device 152 that heor she requests to opt in to receiving the video feed to verify thateach pet is in fact restrained. For instance, the delivery person 148can indicate that he wishes to view the video feed from each of thecameras 110 monitoring each of the pets in the residential facility 102.In response, the control unit server 104 requests live video feed fromeach of the cameras 110 in the residential facility 102, receives eachlive video feed, and provides each of the live video feed to the clientdevice 152 for the delivery person 148's verification. In otherimplementations, the delivery person 148 can indicate to the controlunit server 104 through the application on the client device 152 that heor she requests to opt in to receiving the video feed to verify a selectnumber of pets are restrained. For example, the delivery person 148 mayonly care to see the video feed from camera 111 viewing the crate 122and not the camera 111 facing the backyard 129. This may be the casewhen the delivery person 148 will only enter the residential facility102 and not the backyard 129.

In some implementations, if the video feed shows the delivery person 148that at least one of the pets is not restrained in residential facility102, the delivery person 148 can decline to enter the residentialfacility 102. In particular, the delivery person 148 can drop thepackage 151 off in front of the front door 118 and leave the residentialproperty 102 without indicating to the control unit server 104 that heor she declines to enter the residential facility 102. In otherimplementations, the delivery person 148 may provide an indication tothe control unit server 104 that he or she declines to enter the houseand will leave the package 151 in front of the front door 118.Alternatively, if the video feed shows the delivery person 148 that allof the pets are indeed restrained, the delivery person 148 provides anindication to the control unit server 104 that he or she will enter theresidential facility 102 and leave the package 151 inside. Each of theseindications is provided to the client device 136 of the property owner130 to inform of the delivery person 148's decision.

In some implementations, the control unit server 104 can instruct thedelivery person 148 to deliver the package 151 to a specific location.For instance, the control unit server 104 can provide an indication tothe client device 152 of the delivery person 148 to deliver the package151 to the garage if a pet is not restrained in the residential facility102. In another example, the control unit server 104 can instruct thedelivery person to deliver the package 151 to the outside of the frontdoor 118. In other implementations, the delivery person 148 can deliverthe package 151 to the garage if he or she notices that at least one ofthe pets in the residential facility 102 is unrestrained.

In some implementations, the control unit server 104 can instruct thedelivery person 148 to deliver the package 151 to a specific location ifthe residential facility 102 is disarmed. For example, if the armprofile signature profile is not set when the delivery person 148 isdetected within proximity of the residential facility 102, the controlunit server 104 can provide an indication to the client device 152 ofthe delivery person 148 to leave on a porch in front of the front door118. In another implementation, the control unit server 104 can instructthe delivery person 148 to deliver the package 151 to a specificlocation if minors or elderly occupy the residential facility. In thisinstance, the minors and elderly are separate from the property owner130.

In some implementations, the control unit server 104 can instruct thedelivery company and the delivery person 148 to withhold delivering thepackage 151 when the property owner 130 is on vacation. For instance, ifproperty owner 130 sets the signature profile to vacation mode for theresidential facility 102, the control unit server 104 will provide anindication to the delivery company and the delivery person 148 to notdeliver the package 151. This ensures the package will be safe if thedelivery person 148 decided to leave the package 151 on the front porchof the residential facility 102 and the property owner 130 will notreturn for some time.

The control unit server 104 can provide likely homes of the propertyowner 130 to the delivery company and delivery person 148 for packagesthat require a signature. For instance, if the control unit server 104detects that property owner 130 is home Monday through Friday from 6 PMto 8 AM and home Saturday and Sunday all day, then the control unitserver 104 can share this information to the delivery company and thedelivery person 148. This will help the delivery company determine themost likely times to send the delivery person 148 to residentialfacility 102 to deliver the package and at the same time receive asignature from the property owner 130.

In some implementations, the control unit server 104 unlocks the frontdoor 118 upon detecting that the delivery person 148 is within proximityto the residential facility 102. By unlocking the front door 118, thedelivery person 148 can place the package inside the residentialfacility 102. However, upon entering the residential facility 102, thedelivery person 148 can determine that at least one of the one or morepets are not restrained. In some implementations, the control unitserver 104 may not allow the delivery person 148 to deliver the package151 inside the residential facility 102 if the front door 118 includes abattery lock that has a low battery level. For example, if the frontdoor level has a high battery voltage, then the control unit server 104will allow the delivery person 148 to enter the residential facility 102to enter the residential facility 102 and deliver the package 151inside. Otherwise, the control unit server 104 may instruct the deliveryperson 148 to deliver the package 151 to a specific location outside theresidential facility 102 because the front door lock may not relockitself if the delivery person 148 were to enter. In someimplementations, the control unit server 104 can instruct the deliveryperson to deliver batteries for the front door lock if the battery locklevel is low along with the package 151.

During stage (E), the delivery person 148 can provide an indication tothe control unit server 104 indicating whether the pets have in factbeen restrained. For example, the delivery person 148 can interact withthe client device 152 to provide an indication that at least one of thepets have in fact been restrained. In some implementations, the deliveryperson 148 can indicate which of the pets were not restrained on theclient device 152. For example, the delivery person 148 can indicatethat the dog 128 was found outside the crate 122. In otherimplementations, the delivery person 148 can indicate that the cat 124was found in the bedroom and that the other dog 126 was found in thebackyard 129. If the delivery person 148 provides an indication to thecontrol unit server 104 that at least one of the pets are unrestrained,the delivery person 148 can leave the package 151 outside the front door118 and decline to enter the residential facility 102. In particular,the delivery person 148 can provide an indication through the clientdevice 152 that he or she declines to enter the residential facility 102and that the package 151 is left outside the front door 118. Forinstance, the client device 152 may provide a message box for the userto type in this indication to provide to the control unit server 104. Inother implementations, the client device 152 may provide a list of itemsfor the delivery person 148 to check that indicates whether the petswere restrained and where the delivery person 148 placed the package151.

The control unit server 104 can update a machine-learning model or rulethat was used to determine whether a pet has been restrained based onsensor data and stored data indicating a pet has been restrained. Thecontrol unit server 104 can use a machine-learning model to detectwhether one or more pets have been restrained in the monitored property.The machine-learning model can be based on sensor data provided from thesensors in the monitored property 102, images and/or media from thecameras in the monitored property 102, and stored data from a deliveryperson or a property owner indicating the pets have indeed beenrestrained. Additionally, the control unit server 104 can retrain themachine-learning model based on an incorrect prediction made by themachine-learning model, such as, an incorrect characterization of petsrestraining. The machine-learning model can be trained to ensure thatprediction is more accurate based on similar sensor and media data at asubsequent time. Alternatively, the control unit sever 104 may use arole that analyzes whether the number of pets have been restrained, suchas if the digital lock mechanism 123 has been locked and the smartcollar 127 is located within a location of the crate 122, the pet 128 orpet 126 is deemed to be restrained.

In some implementations, the control unit server 104 receives theconfirmation indication 153 from the client device 152. If the controlunit server 104 determines that the indication confirms that all petshave been restrained and the package 151 was successfully deliveredinside the residential facility 102, then the control unit server 104can provide an indication 153 to the client device 136 of the propertyowner 130 that a package 151 has been delivered inside the residentialfacility 102.

In some implementations, the control unit server 104 receives anindication 153 from the client device 152 that indicates not all petswere restrained and a package 151 was delivered to the outside of frontdoor 118. The control unit server 104 can provide this indication 153 tothe client device 136 of the property owner 130 that the package 151 isoutside the front door 118 and at least one of the pets is notrestrained. This can prompt the property owner 130 to quickly return tothe residential facility 102 to ensure that the pet that is notrestrained, such as the other dog 126, has not fled the residentialfacility 102.

The operations of stages (A) to (E) illustrate the monitoring of a petduring an unattended delivery of a package, such as package 151. Thecontrol unit server 104 can repeat the operations of stages (A) to (E)for multiple residential facilities and perform these stages in anyorder.

FIG. 2A is a context diagram of an example system 200 of an integratedsecurity environment for outdoor pet management during deliveries.System 200 is similar to system 100. System 200 additionally includes aplot boundary 248 and a temporary fence 250 that restrains movement ofone or more pets located within the monitored property 202. Inparticular, the temporary fence 250 is a virtual fence that can bemonitored or not monitored by the control unit server 204. If thetemporary fence 250 is active, the smart collar 246 on pet 226 mayvibrate and issue a noise indicating to the pet 226 that a safe zone hasbeen generated. If the smart collar 246 detects it has intersected withthe plot boundary 248, the smart collar 246 may shock the pet 226indicating to the pet 226 to back away from the plot boundary 248.

In some implementations, the plot boundary 248 can include a wire foundat the monitored property 202 and the temporary fence 250 can include aseparate wire found at the monitored property 202. Both wires can beburied at a particular depth at the monitored property 202.Alternatively, the wires can exist on top of the yard at the monitoredproperty 202. The wires can surround the circumference of the monitoredproperty 202, including at least the front yard, the backyard, and theside yards. Alternatively, the wires can cover a portion of themonitored property 202, such as the basement, living room, or front yardof the monitored property 202. If the plot boundary 248 and/or temporaryfence are found within the home of the monitored property 202, the wirescan be found within, on, above, or below the walls of the monitoredproperty 202. The wire corresponding to the temporary fence 250 istypically within the enclosure of the wire corresponding to the plotboundary 248.

The wires are typically provided with power from the monitored property202 (such as, from an electrical outlet) and as a result, the wiresgenerate radio signals. The electricity flowing through the wiresgenerates the radio signals. The radio signals interact with the smartcollar 246, and as a result, the smart collar 246 provides either avibration, noise, a shock, or a combination of each to the pet 226 inresponse to interacting with the radio signals. For example, the smartcollar 246 can provide a vibration and noise in response to the controlunit server 204 activating the temporary fence 250. In this example, thesmart collar 246 can provide a shock and a noise in response to crossingthe plot boundary 248.

In some implementations, the plot boundary 248 can be an invisibleboundary monitored by the control unit server 104. Laying wire forfencing can be expensive, so to prevent increasing the cost of a petfence, the invisible boundary provides a virtual safe zone. In thiscase, the plot boundary 248 can correspond to GPS coordinates around themonitored property 202. The control unit server 104 can store GPScoordinates corresponding to the location of the plot boundary 248. Asthe smart collar 246 moves around the monitored property 202, the smartcollar 246 can provide its GPS coordinates to the control unit server204 at a predetermined rate, such as every second, 2 seconds, or 5seconds, for example.

During enforcement of the invisible plot boundary 248, the control unitserver 204 can compare the received GPS coordinates from the smartcollar 246 to the GPS coordinates of the invisible plot boundary 248. Ifthe control unit server 204 determines that the smart collar 246intersects with the invisible plot boundary 248, the control unit server204 transmits an instruction to the smart collar 246 to provide a shockto the corresponding pet 226. Similar functionality occurs if thetemporary fence 250 is an invisible boundary. The control unit server204 transmits an instruction to the smart collar 246 to provide a noiseand vibrate to warn the corresponding pet 226 if the temporary fence 250is active. In some implementations, the temporary fence 250 becomesactive when the control unit server 204 generates a safe zone at themonitored property 202. In other implementations, the temporary fence250 is active if the property owner 230 decides to include multiplefences on the monitored property 202. For example, the temporary fence250 can serve as a warning to the pet 250 that the pet is close to theplot boundary 248, where the pet will be shocked. Alternatively, themonitored property 202 may only include the temporary fence 250 or theplot boundary 248, where having just one of the fences may shock the pet226 should the pet intersect with the fence boundary.

In some implementations, the property owner 230 can define the invisibleboundary for the plot boundary 248 and the temporary fence 250. During asetup mode, the smart collar 246 can provide an indication to thecontrol unit server 204 that the smart collar 246 is recording pathdata. The property owner 230 can hold the smart collar 246 and traversea path around the monitored property 202, e.g., such as around thecircumference of the yard, such that the path taken defines GPScoordinates of a particular fence. For example, the property owner 230can traverse the plot boundary 248 (as shown in system 200) with smartcollar 246 in hand to generate the invisible boundary of the plotboundary 248. The property owner 230 can similarly walk the path withthe smart collar 246 in hand to generate the invisible boundary for thetemporary fence 250. Similarly, the property owner 230 can walk the pathfor the safe zone of the temporary fence 250, as described below. Thesmart collar 246 can transmit GPS coordinates of the recorded path datato the control unit server 204. The control unit server 204 can receiveand record the path data from the smart collar 246. The property owner230 can indicate through his client device 234 whether the recorded pathdata corresponds to the temporary fence 250 or the plot boundary 248.

The property owner 230 can also indicate through a smart application onhis/her client device 234 the path of the plot boundary 248 and thetemporary fence 250. The smart application can display a map of themonitored property 202. The property owner 230 can draw on the map 232to indicate the invisible boundary of the plot boundary 248 and thetemporary fence 250. The property owner 230 may use his or her fingersto draw the boundaries on the map or may speak to the client device 234regarding how to draw on the map. The client device 234 can thentransmit the annotated map to the control unit server 204 for furthermonitoring. The control unit server 204 can translate the annotations onthe map to GPS coordinates. The translated GPS coordinates become thenew plot boundary 248 or temporary fence 250 coordinates (based on userselection) that the control unit server 204 monitors in comparison tothe smart collar 246. If the control unit server 204 detects that thesmart collar 246 crosses the translated GPS coordinates of either theplot boundary 248 or the temporary fence 250, the control unit server204 issues a notification accordingly.

In some implementations, the temporary fence 250 may be found within theplot boundary 248. The temporary fence 250 may be active when theproperty owner 230 or the control unit server 204 decides to create asafe zone. Alternatively, the temporary fence 250 can be active toensure the pet 226 has an additional warning before being shocked by theplot boundary 248. When the temporary fence 250 is active, the smartcollar may vibrate, buzz, and/or beep, or any of the combination, toprovide a cue to the pet 226 to avoid the safe zone. Additionally, thecontrol unit server 204 may use other cues to indicate to the pet 226 toavoid the safe zone. For example, the control unit server 204 may flashone or more lights 212 at the monitored property 202 to indicate to thepet to avoid the safe zone. A property owner 230 may also place whiteflags or other markers surrounding the temporary fence 250 and includingthe safe zone during initial training of the pet 226. These flags ormarkers can be removed from the ground when the temporary fence 250 isactive. Additionally, the smart collar 246 may buzz as the pet 226approaches the temporary fence 250. Once the temporary fence 250 isturned off, the buzzing, vibrations, noise, and flashing lights can alsobe turned off.

The safe zones can be defined by the property owner 230 and stored inthe control unit server 204, the smart collar 246, the monitoring server240, or each. The safe zones can be changed through the property owner230's smart home application on his/her client device 234. Inparticular, the safe zones, the temporary fence 250, and the plotboundary 248 can be adjusted in real-time using the smart homeapplication.

The temporary fence 250 indicates a safe zone has been created that petsneed to avoid. For example, this safe zone can be on the driveway 252.The safe zone allows a visitor to move into without interference fromthe pet 226. Additionally, the temporary fence 250 can be created toprovide additional redundancy for the pet to avoid being shocked whenintersecting with the plot boundary 248. As illustrated in system 200, adistance can exist between the temporary fence 250 and the plot boundary248. The distance allows for ample space for the pet 226 to determinethat it may be shocked should it move closer towards the plot boundary248.

In some implementations, when the pet 226 crosses the temporary fence250, the smart collar 246 corresponding to the pet 226 vibrates andmakes noise indicating to the pet 226 that the plot boundary 248 iswithin proximity to the pet 226's location. As the pet 226 moves closerto the plot boundary 248 after crossing the temporary fence 250, thesmart collar 246 may increase its vibration amount and an increase itsnoise, signaling to the pet 226 that its smart collar 246 is about toprovide a shock once the smart collar crosses the plot boundary 248. Ifthe pet 226 continues to move towards the plot boundary 248 andintersects the plot boundary 248, the pet 226 is shocked.

In some implementations, the system 200 further includes a garage 236connected to the monitored property 202 that allow users to park theirvehicles. For example, property owner 230 may drive his vehicle and parkinto the garage 236 through the driveway 252. The temporary fence 250and the plot boundary 248 may cover the area of the driveway 252 when nocars are approaching. As further described below, the temporary fence250 and the plot boundary 248 may adjust its boundaries in response todetermining a car is approaching the monitored property 202 to ensuresafety of the pets at the monitored property 202.

FIG. 2B is another context diagram of an example system 201 of anintegrated security environment for outdoor pet management duringdeliveries. System 201 is similar to systems 200 and 100. System 201illustrates the temporary fence 250 adjusting its boundaries in responseto a delivery person 254 delivering a package 258 to the monitoredproperty 202. This scenario applies in situations where the temporaryfence 250 is an invisible boundary as stored by the control unit server204. The plot boundary 248 can be a wire in the ground or an invisibleboundary.

In some implementations, the control unit server 204 adjusts one or moreboundaries of the temporary fence 250 to allow for movement into themonitored property 202 while providing safety to the pets within themonitored property 202. For example, the control unit server 204 canadjust the one or more boundaries of the temporary fence 250 to create asafe zone 256 within the monitored property 202. The safe zone 256allows an outside individual to move into the monitored property 202without being disrupted or interfered by the pets, such as pet 226. Thesafe zone 256 is an area in which the pets are not to enter and byavoiding, ensure their safety. If a pet, such as pet 226, tries to moveinto the safe zone 256, the control unit server 204 may issue avibration and noise instruction to the smart collar 246 of the pet 226.

Alternatively, the control unit server 204 may issue a vibration andnoise instruction to the smart collar 246 if the temporary fence 250 isactive. This vibration and noise instruction indicates to the pet 226 toback away from the safe zone 256. For example, if a car is movingtowards the monitored property 202 and the control unit server 204detects that the car is coming to the monitored property 202, thecontrol unit server 204 can adjust the boundaries of the temporary fence250 to create a safe zone 256 for the car to move into withoutinterfering with the pets of the monitored property 202. If the pet 226enters the safe zone 256, the control unit server 204 may issue acommand to the smart collar 246 to shock the pet 226. If the pet 226exits the safe zone 256, the control unit server 204 may issue a commandto the smart collar 246 to stop shocking the pet 226. In someimplementations, if the pet already exists within the safe zone 256before and after the control unit server 204 generates the safe zone256, the control unit server 204 can issue a shock to the pet 226 toimmediately exit the safe zone 256. Once the pet 226 exits the safezone, the control unit server 204 instructs the smart collar 246 to stopshocking the pet 226. Alternatively, the smart collar 246 (attached tothe pet 226) detects the location of the pet 226 with respect to thelocation of the safe zone 256 and can issue the vibration, buzzing,and/or shock to the pet 226. If the pet 226 re-enters the safe zone 256after exiting the safe zone 256, the smart collar 246 will issue anothershock to the pet 226.

In some implementations, the determination whether to vibrate, shock,buzz, and beep the smart collar 246 to provide cues to the pet 226 canbe performed by the smart collar 246. Without the use of the controlunit server 204, the smart collar 246 can house the intelligence and GPSactivities to determine a location of the smart collar 246 in comparisonto the location of the virtual boundaries, and in response, deliver thenotification to the pet 226. In some implementations, the monitoringserver 240 may communicate with the smart collar 246 and perform thefunctionality for issuing notifications to the smart collar 246, similarto the control unit server 204.

In some implementations, the control unit server 204 may retrieve datafrom various sources of the monitored property 202 when determiningwhether to alter or adjust the boundaries of the temporary fence 250. Inparticular, the control unit server 204 can retrieve data from videoanalytics, connected car integration, delivery service integration, andsecurity sensors. Using video analytics, the control unit server 204 canuse one or more video cameras 210 that monitor areas that cover andexist within proximity to the temporary fence 250 and the plot boundary248. For example, the video camera 211 can record media, e.g., video andimages, of the front yard of the monitored property 202 and monitorobjects that are found within the recorded media. The control unitserver 204 can execute object and/or facial recognition on the recordedmedia to determine if a known object is recognized in the recordedmedia. For example, the control unit server 204 may recognize propertyowner 230 approaching the monitored property 202, a relative of theproperty owner 230, a delivery person 254, a delivery truckcorresponding to the delivery person, a vehicle corresponding to theproperty owner 230, or a vehicle corresponding to a relative of theproperty owner 230. Other examples of recognized objects are alsopossible.

Additionally, the control unit server 204 can obtain data from securitysensors at the monitored property 202 to recognize the property owner230 and others. For example, the control unit server 204 can obtain datafrom motion sensors and thermal imaging sensors that indicate a user ismoving within proximity to the monitored property 202. The control unitserver 204 can use the sensor data in conjunction with the data from thevideo cameras to recognize individuals at the monitored property 202,and recognize individuals approaching the monitored property 202.

In response to the control unit server 204 recognizing a person orobject from the recorded media, the control unit server 204 can adjustthe boundaries of the temporary fence 250 to create a safe zone 256 forthe recognized person or object. In some implementations, the controlunit server 204 can rely on delivery service integration independent ofor in conjunction with the video analytics to aid in determining whetherto adjust the boundaries of the temporary fence 250. In particular, thecontrol unit server 204 may communicate with the delivery systemdatabase 242 to determine whether the monitored property 202 is expectedto receive a package 258 from a delivery person 254. The control unitserver 204 can determine the delivery company, the package, and a timefor delivery of the package 258. Thus, the control unit server 204 canmonitor its current date and time, compare to expected delivery date andtime, and can use its video analytics around the expected delivery dateand time to search for indication of a delivery person 254 or deliveryvehicle. In response to detecting the delivery person 254 or thedelivery vehicle, the control unit server 204 can activate the temporaryfence 250 in system 201 with the safe space 256. The safe space 256ensures that the pet 226 does not interfere with the delivery person 254and ensures the pet 226 is not injured by the delivery person 254'svehicle. In response to activating the temporary fence 250 with the safespace 256, the smart collar 246 may buzz and vibrate, signaling to thepet 226 to avoid the safe space 256.

In one use case scenario regarding how this system can work, a UPSdelivery is scheduled to deliver a package to Jane (e.g., property owner130) at the monitored property 202 at 2:00 PM ET on Tuesday. The controlunit server 204 receives an indication from UPS (e.g., the deliverysystem database 242) regarding the expected delivery date and time. Thecontrol unit server 204 provides a notification to Jane's client device234 indicating that a package will be delivered and requesting for UPSto drop off the package 258 in the safe zone 256. Jane approves of therequest to drop the package in the safe zone 256 considering Jane's pet226 dog will be in the front yard during the expected delivery time. Thecontrol unit server 204 provides the notification to UPS (e.g., thedelivery system database 242) to drop the package off in the safe zone256.

Continuing with the UPS example above, UPS provides a notification tothe control unit server 204 that the delivery of package 258 isimminent. The control unit server 204 receives this notification andanalyzes its recorded media to determine if it recognizes the deliveryperson 254 or delivery vehicle approaching the monitored property 202.If the control unit server 204 does recognize the delivery person or thevehicle, the control unit server 204 activates the temporary fence 250to create a safe zone 256 in the driveway 252. Alternatively, thecontrol unit server 204 can adjust the temporary fence 250 from system200 to the temporary fence 250 in system 201 with the enabled safe zone256. Additionally, the control unit server 204 provides a notificationto the smart collar 246 of the pet 226 to vibrate and ring, alerting thepet 226 that the pet will be shocked if the pet moves into the safe zone256.

The control unit server 204 can determine whether the delivery person254 has delivered the package 258. In particular, the control unitserver 204 can use video analytics and notification from the propertyowner 230 to determine whether the package 258 was delivered. Inparticular, the control unit server 204 can use object recognition todetermine whether a package was delivered in the safe zone.Additionally, the control unit server 204 can provide an indication tothe client device 234 of the property owner 230 that includes media ofthe package 258 in the safe zone 256. The property owner 230 can providea response to the indication to the control unit server 204 thatindicates the package 258 has been delivered. Additionally, the controlunit server 204 can store an indication that the package was delivered.

In response to the delivery person 254 delivering the package 258 to thesafe zone 256, the control unit server 204 can use video analytics fromthe one or more cameras 210 to monitor the delivery person 254 or thecorresponding delivery vehicle leaving the monitored property 202. Ifthe control unit server 204 determines that the delivery person 254 orthe corresponding delivery vehicle is in fact leaving the monitoredproperty 202 (e.g., through facial or object recognition), then thecontrol unit server 204 can readjust the boundaries of the temporaryfence 250 back to the boundaries of the temporary fence 250 shown insystem 200. Alternatively, the control unit server 204 can deactivatethe temporary fence 250 so as to leave only the plot boundary 248.

In some cases, the control unit server 204 can automatically adjust theboundaries of the temporary fence 250 based on a notification from thedelivery system, without relying on video analytics. Additionally, oncethe control unit server 204 adjusts the temporary fence 250 to removethe safety zone 256, the control unit server 204 instructs the vibratingand ringing of the smart collar 246 to cease. This indicates to the pet226 that it is safe now to move into the previously safe zone area 256.

In another use case, Jim, a property owner 130, is returning from a tripaway from the monitored property 202. Since Jim is the property owner130 of the monitored property 202, Jim's vehicle is pre-configured to berecognized and identified by the control unit server 204. Thus, as Jim'svehicle returns from the outing, a camera 211 located at the monitoredproperty 202 provides recorded media of Jim's vehicle to the controlunit server 204. The control unit server 204 recognizes Jim's vehicle inthe recorded media. Additionally, the control unit server 204 can usethe video analytics to determine that Jim's pet 226 “Lulu” is playing inthe front yard as Jim's vehicle approaches the monitored property 202.Thus, the control unit server 204 adjusts the boundaries of thetemporary fence 254 to prevent Jim's dog “Lulu” from running in front ofJim's car as it pulls in the driveway. Thus, in response to the controlunit server 204 adjusting the boundaries of the temporary fence 254, thecontrol unit server 204 transmits an instruction to the smart collar 246to vibrate, buzz, or ring, or a combination of these, as a cue, toindicate to Lulu that the driveway (safe zone 252) is off limits. Oncethe car is parked in the driveway, the car can communicate with thecontrol unit server 204 to indicate that it is parked.

The control unit server 204 includes connected car integration thatallows for receiving notifications from the vehicle. For example, thenotifications can indicate the status of the vehicle, such as park,reverse, drive, powered on, powered off, or errors corresponding to thevehicle. The control unit server 204 can provide these notificationsfrom the vehicle to the client device 234 of the owner 230. Continuingwith the example from above, once the control unit server 204 noticesthat the vehicle is parked, the control unit server 204 adjusts thetemporary fence 254 back to the temporary fence 250. Thus, Lulu can thengreet Jim with enthusiastic tail wagging without interfering with Jim'svehicle.

In another use case, Dave, property owner 130 of monitored property 202,has an electric fence, such as temporary fence 254, for his pet 226.Dave has to remember to deactivate or remove the smart collar 246 whentaking his dog (e.g., pet 226) for a walk. As Dave proceeds to take hisdog for a walk, Dave forgets to remove the smart collar 246 from themonitored property 202. The camera 211 monitors the area where Daveproceeds to take the dog 226 for a walk by recording media and providingthe media to the control unit server 204. The control unit server 204identifies that Dave is taking his dog for a walk and additionallyrecognizes that the smart collar 246 is still attached to the pet 226.The control unit server 204 can determine that the dog is expected to beshocked since the smart collar 246 has not yet been removed from the pet226.

In doing so, the control unit server 204 determines that the owner Davehas active “control” of his dog. The control unit server 204 can usefacial and object recognition to determine that the dog is on a leashand that the leash is in Dave's hand. In response to determining thatDave has active control over his dog, the control unit server 204notifies Dave that his dog is about to be shocked by crossing the plotboundary 248. The control unit server 204 notifies Dave through hisclient device 234 and powers down the plot boundary 248 in order toensure the pet 226 is not shocked. Dave is then additionally notifiedthat the plot boundary 248 has been powered down. After Dave takes hisdog on the walk and returns back to the monitored property 102, the plotboundary 248 and the temporary fence 254 can be powered on in a varietyof ways. In one manner, Dave can indicate through his client device 234to power on the plot boundary 248 and the temporary fence 254 once thepet 226 is within the monitored property. In another manner, the controlunit server 204 determines that the pet 226 is back within the monitoredproperty 202 and powers on the plot boundary 248 and the temporary fence254, in response.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of example processes for providing an alert basedon a determination that a particular event related to the monitored petstatus has occurred. Generally, the process 300 includes receiving anindication that a resident will be receiving a delivery; determiningthat the resident will likely be away from the property during anexpected delivery time; providing an indication to the resident torestrain pet in response to determining the resident will likely be awayfrom the property during the expected delivery time; receiving anindication from the resident that the pet has been properly secured atthe property; and, providing an indication to a delivery person that thepet has been restrained in response to detecting that the deliveryperson is within proximity to the property.

During 302, the control unit server 104 receives an indication that aresident will be receiving a delivery. For instance, the control unitserver 104 can determine that property owner 130 is expected to receivea package 151. In particular, the control unit server 104 can determineif the property owner 130 placed an order for delivery of a package 151through the property owner 130's smart home application on client device136. In other implementations, the control unit server 104 can request aresponse from property owner 130 through client device 136 that asks ifhe/she is expecting to receive a package 151 today. In otherimplementations, the control unit server 104 can communicate with thedelivery system database 144 over the network 140 and through themonitoring server 142 to determine if property owner 130 placed adelivery order for package 151 through any of the delivery companies. Inaddition, the control unit server 104 can determine from communicatingwith the delivery system database 144 whether any of the deliverycompanies plan to deliver a package to the residential facility 102.

During 304, the control unit server 104 determines that the residentwill likely be away from the property during an expected delivery time.For instance, the control unit server 104 can determine that theproperty owner 130 is away from the residential property 102 during thetimes of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM during Monday through Friday. The controlunit server 104 can determine that the property owner 130 sets the armhome signature profile at 8:00 AM and turns off the arm home signatureprofile at 4:00 PM each day of the week. In addition, the control unitserver 104 utilizes recognition software in the video camera 111 todetermine that the property owner 130 is walking away from theresidential facility 102 around 8:00 AM and walks towards theresidential facility 102 at 4:00 PM.

In some implementations, the control unit server 104 can determine thata delivery company plans to deliver a package 151 to the residentialfacility 102 during a specified time of the day. For instance, thecontrol unit server 104 can retrieve the contact information from thedelivery system database 144 for the delivery company that plans todeliver the package 151 to the residential facility 102. The controlunit server 104 can contact the delivery company using the deliverycompany's contact information (e.g., telephone number, email address,URL address, etc.) to request for a delivery time. In otherimplementations, the control unit server 104 can transmit a request toproperty owner 130's client device 136 to ascertain of the potentialdelivery time from the property owner 130. In some cases, the propertyowner 130 may be aware of the delivery time. In some implementations,the delivery company may transmit an indication to the control unitserver 104 that they plan to deliver a package 151 to the residentialproperty 102. As a result, the control unit server 104 may provide anotification to the client device 136 that indicates to the propertyowner 130 what package 151 is being delivered and an expected deliverytime.

During 306, the control unit server 104 provides an indication to theresident to restrain pet in response to determining the resident willlikely be away from the property during the expected delivery time. Forinstance, the control unit server 104 may determine that the number ofpets found in the restrained locations is less than the number of petsliving in the residential facility 102. In particular, this comparisonindicates to the control unit server 104 that at least one of the petsliving in the residential facility 102 is unrestrained. As a result, thecontrol unit server 104 can transmit a notification 132 to the clientdevice 136 that provides a message 134 to the property owner 130. Asillustrated in the example of FIG. 1, the message 134 indicates to theproperty owner 130 to “restrain all pets before leaving” on clientdevice 136.

In some implementations, the control unit server 104 can provide amessage 134 to client device 136 that indicates which pet needs to berestrained. For example, if the camera 111 facing the cage 122 does notdetect a pet within the cage 122, the control unit server 104 canprovide a message 134 that indicates to the property owner 130 to“restrain dog in cage” on client device 136. In some implementations,the control unit server 104 can provide the message 134 to the display121 of monitor 120. By providing the message 134 to the display 121, theproperty owner 130 can receive the message 134 in other forms if theirclient device 136 is turned off or not nearby.

During 308, the control unit server 104 receives an indication from theresident that the pet has been properly secured at the property. Forinstance, the property owner 130 provides an indication 138 to controlunit 104 using client device 136 that all pets are restrained. Theproperty owner 130 restrains each pet in either the backyard 129, thecage 122, a bedroom of the residential facility 102 and closes thebedroom door, or a garage of the residential facility 102. Once theproperty owner 130 properly restrains each of the pets, the propertyowner 130 interacts with the smart home application on the client device136 to indicate that all of the pets are restrained. In particular, theclient device 136 transmits a notification 138 that includes a messageand a client device identifier to the control unit server 104.

During 310, the control unit server 104 provides an indication to adelivery person that the pet has been restrained in response todetecting that the delivery person is within proximity to the property.The control unit server 104 can transmit this indication to the clientdevice of the delivery person 148 in response to detecting the proximityof the delivery person 148 to the monitored property 102. For instance,the control unit server 104 detects that the delivery person 148 iswithin proximity to the residential facility 102. For instance, thecontrol unit 104 can receive an indication from the monitoring server142 when the delivery person 148 is approaching the residential facility102. The monitoring server 142 can remain in contact with the deliverycompany that provides an indication of an estimated arrival time for thedelivery person 148 to arrive at the residential facility 102.Additionally, the delivery company may provide GPS positionalinformation to the monitoring server 142 of the delivery person 148 sothat the monitoring server 142 can track his or her location. In someimplementations, the monitoring server 142 can provide the GPSpositional information to the control unit server 104 for tracking thedelivery person 148. For example, the GPS positional information canrelate to latitudinal, longitudinal, and time information of clientdevice 152 corresponding to the delivery person 148. The control unitserver 104 can transmit the notification to the client device of thedelivery person 148. Once the delivery person 148 delivers the package,the delivery person 148 can transmit a notification to the control unitserver 104 that indicates a confirmation that the pets in the monitoredproperty are indeed restrained. The control unit server 104 can thenstore a notification in its memory that its determination that the pethas been properly secured was in fact correct. This notification canhelp improve the control unit server 104's subsequent determination thata pet is restrained.

In some implementations, the control unit server 104 can track the GPSpositional information of the delivery person 148 to detect when thedelivery person 148 is within proximity to the residential facility 102.For example, the control unit server 104 can use the GPS positionalinformation of the client device 152 to monitor the positionalinformation of the delivery person 148. When the GPS positionalinformation of the client device 152 indicates that the delivery person148 is within proximity to the residential facility 102, such as 1 milefrom the residential facility 102, for example, the control unit server104 can transmit a message 146 to the client device 152 of the deliveryperson 148. The message 146 includes an indication of whether theresidential facility 102 includes pets, the number of pets in theresidential facility 102, the type of each of the pets, and anindication as to whether each of the pets have been restrained. Forinstance, the message 146 can include a status that the residentialfacility 102 does include pets; the pets include two dogs and a cat;and, a status 150 that indicates the “pets have been restrained.”

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example process 400 for configuring anadjustable pet fence at a monitored property based on a determinationthat a particular event related to the monitored pet status hasoccurred. Generally, the process 400 includes receiving an indicationthat a resident will be receiving a delivery at a monitored property;determining that a pet is located at the monitored property within atemporary fence during an expected delivery time; determine a likelihoodthat the delivery to the monitored property is imminent; in response todetermining the likelihood that the delivery is imminent, adjust one ormore boundaries of the temporary fence to generate a safe zone thatprovides safe delivery and restricts pet movement into the safe zone;detect that a package has been delivered at the monitored propertythrough the safe zone; and in response to detecting that the package hasbeen delivered, adjust the one or more boundaries of the temporary fenceto remove the safe zone from the monitored property.

During 402, the control unit server 204 receives an indication that aresident will be receiving a delivery at a monitored property. Forexample, the control unit server 204 can determine that property owner230 is expected to receive a package 258. In particular, the controlunit server 204 can determine if the property owner 230 placed an orderfor delivery of a package 258 through the property owner's 234 smarthome application on client device 234. In other implementations, thecontrol unit server 204 can request a response from property owner 230through client device 234 that asks if he/she is expecting to receive apackage 258 today. In other implementations, the control unit server 204can communicate with the delivery system database 242 over the network238 and through the monitoring server 240 to determine if property owner230 placed a delivery order for package 258 through any of the deliverycompanies. In addition, the control unit server 204 can determine fromcommunicating with the delivery system database 242 whether any of thedelivery companies plan to deliver a package to the monitored property202. In response, the control unit server 204 can receive an indicationfrom the delivery system database 242 that the property owner 230 isexpected to receive a package today at a particular time, or on anotherday at a particular time. The control unit server 204 can notify theproperty owner 230 of the expected time of arrival of the package 258.

During 404, the control unit server 204 can determine that a pet islocated at the monitored property within a temporary fence during anexpected delivery time. In particular, the control unit server 204 canuse video analytics (e.g., facial or object recognition) on the mediarecorded by the one or cameras 210 to determine if a pet is located atthe monitored property 202. For example, the control unit server 204 cananalyze real-time video received from the camera 211 to determinewhether a pet exists in the front yard of the monitored property 202.Additionally, the control unit server 204 can receive an indication fromthe client device 234 of the property owner 230 that indicates the petis located within the temporary fence 250 of the monitored property 202.The control unit server 104 can also determine that the pet exists in alocation where the safe zone will be generated or the control unitserver 104 that the pet is unrestrained at the monitored property 102.The indication can include the type of pet and a location of the pet onthe monitored property 202. For example, the control unit server 204 canreceive an indication from the client device 234 that the dog 226 islocated in the front yard of the monitored property 202.

During 406, the control unit server 204 determines a likelihood that thedelivery to the monitored property 202 is imminent. For example, thecontrol unit server 204 can retrieve data from video analytics,connected car integration, delivery service integration, and securitysensors to determine whether the delivery is imminent. In particular,the control unit server 204 can communicate with the delivery systemdatabase 242 to determine whether the monitored property 202 is expectedto receive a package 258 from a delivery person 254. The control unitserver 204 can determine the delivery company, the package, and a timefor delivery of the package 258.

Around the time the package is expected to be delivered, the controlunit server 204 can monitor its current date and time, compare toexpected delivery date and time, and can use its video analytics aroundthe expected delivery date and time to search for indication of adelivery person 254 or delivery vehicle. In particular, the control unitserver 204 can produce an a likelihood that indicates whether thedelivery is imminent. The likelihood can be based on how close it is tothe expected delivery date and time, tracking information correspondingto the delivery vehicle, and whether or not the delivery vehicle isfound in the recorded media. In response to determining that thedelivery is imminent, the control unit server 104 prepares to adjust theboundaries of the temporary fence 250.

During 408, in response to determining the likelihood that the deliveryis imminent, the control unit server 104 adjusts one or more boundariesof the temporary fence 250 to generate a safe zone that provides safedelivery and restricts pet movement into the safe zone. In response todetecting delivery, the control unit server 204 adjusts one or moreboundaries of the temporary fence 250 to allow for the delivery person148 to safely deliver a package to the monitored property 202 whileproviding safety to the pets within the monitored property 202. Forexample, the control unit server 204 can adjust the one or moreboundaries of the temporary fence 250 to create a safe zone 256 withinthe monitored property 202. The safe zone 256 allows an outsideindividual to move into the monitored property 202 without beingdisrupted or interfered by the pets, such as pet 226. The safe zone 256is an area in which the pets are not to enter and by avoiding, ensuretheir safety. The control unit server 104 can adjust the one or moreboundaries by changing the GPS coordinates of the temporary fence 250 togenerate the safe zone. The safe zone can be placed at any area withinthe monitored properties. When generating the safe zones, the temporaryfence 250 remains intact to the generated safe zones, as illustrated insystem 201. Additionally, the control unit server 104 can generatemultiple safe zones for various deliveries, such as within the home ofthe monitored property 202 and outside the monitored property 202.

If the control unit server 104 determines that the pet is unrestrainedduring the expected delivery time or found within the potentialgenerated safe zone, the control unit server 104 can transmit anotification to the property owner 130 to restrain the identified pet.The control unit server 104 can also issue a shock to the smart collar246 of the unrestrained pet to indicate to the pet to move to arestraining location (e.g., outside the safe zone 256 or to crate 222),as delivery is imminent. Once the control unit server 104 or theproperty owner 130 has verified that the pet is restrained (e.g., eitherthrough video recognition or receiving a notification from the propertyowner 130), the control unit server 104 can indicate to the deliveryperson 254 that it is safe to deliver the package 258. If the controlunit server 104 determines that the pet is not restrained or not outsidethe safe zone, the control unit server 104 can indicate to the deliveryperson 254 to not deliver the package 258 as the pets in the monitoredproperty 102 are not restrained. Alternatively, the control unit server104 can indicate to the delivery person 254 that the pets are notrestrained and if he/she wishes to deliver the package, enter themonitored property 102 with caution and at your own risk.

During 410, the control unit server 204 detects that a package has beendelivered at the monitored property 202 through the safe zone. Inparticular, the control unit server 204 can use video analytics andrequest for a notification from the property owner 230 to determinewhether the package 258 was delivered in the safe zone 256. Inparticular, the control unit server 204 can use object recognition todetermine whether a package was delivered in the safe zone.Additionally, the control unit server 204 can provide an indication tothe client device 234 of the property owner 230 that includes media ofthe package 258 in the safe zone 256.

During 412, in response to detecting that the package has beendelivered, the control unit server 204 adjusts the one or moreboundaries of the temporary fence 250 to remove the safe zone from themonitored property 202. The control unit server 204 can use videoanalytics and request a status from the property owner 230 to determinewhether the package 258 was delivered. In particular, the control unitserver 204 can use object recognition to determine whether a package wasdelivered in the safe zone. Additionally, the control unit server 204can provide an indication to the client device 234 of the property owner230 that includes media of the package 258 in the safe zone 256 toverify that the package 258 was indeed delivered.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example integrated monitoring server 500for monitoring a pet status during an unattended delivery at aresidential facility that may utilize various security components. Theelectronic system 500 includes a network 505, a control unit 510, one ormore user devices 540 and 550, a monitoring application server 560, anda central alarm station server 570. In some examples, the network 505facilitates communications between the control unit 510, the one or moreuser devices 540 and 550, the monitoring application server 560, and thecentral alarm station server 570.

The network 505 is configured to enable exchange of electroniccommunications between devices connected to the network 505. Forexample, the network 505 may be configured to enable exchange ofelectronic communications between the control unit 510, the one or moreuser devices 540 and 550, the monitoring application server 560, and thecentral alarm station server 570. The network 505 may include, forexample, one or more of the Internet, Wide Area Networks (WANs), LocalArea Networks (LANs), analog or digital wired and wireless telephonenetworks (e.g., a public switched telephone network (PSTN), IntegratedServices Digital Network (ISDN), a cellular network, and DigitalSubscriber Line (DSL)), radio, television, cable, satellite, or anyother delivery or tunneling mechanism for carrying data. Network 505 mayinclude multiple networks or subnetworks, each of which may include, forexample, a wired or wireless data pathway. The network 505 may include acircuit-switched network, a packet-switched data network, or any othernetwork able to carry electronic communications (e.g., data or voicecommunications). For example, the network 505 may include networks basedon the Internet protocol (IP), asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), thePSTN, packet-switched networks based on IP, X.25, or Frame Relay, orother comparable technologies and may support voice using, for example,VoIP, or other comparable protocols used for voice communications. Thenetwork 505 may include one or more networks that include wireless datachannels and wireless voice channels. The network 505 may be a wirelessnetwork, a broadband network, or a combination of networks including awireless network and a broadband network.

The control unit 510 includes a controller 512 and a network module 514.The controller 512 is configured to control a control unit monitoringsystem (e.g., a control unit system) that includes the control unit 510.In some examples, the controller 512 may include a processor or othercontrol circuitry configured to execute instructions of a program thatcontrols operation of a control unit system. In these examples, thecontroller 512 may be configured to receive input from sensors, flowmeters, or other devices included in the control unit system and controloperations of devices included in the household (e.g., speakers, lights,doors, etc.). For example, the controller 512 may be configured tocontrol operation of the network module 514 included in the connectedvalve unit 510.

The network module 514 is a communication device configured to exchangecommunications over the network 505. The network module 514 may be awireless communication module configured to exchange wirelesscommunications over the network 505. For example, the network module 514may be a wireless communication device configured to exchangecommunications over a wireless data channel and a wireless voicechannel. In this example, the network module 514 may transmit alarm dataover a wireless data channel and establish a two-way voice communicationsession over a wireless voice channel. The wireless communication devicemay include one or more of a LTE module, a GSM module, a radio modem,cellular transmission module, or any type of module configured toexchange communications in one of the following formats: LTE, GSM orGPRS, CDMA, EDGE or EGPRS, EV-DO or EVDO, UMTS, or IP.

The network module 514 also may be a wired communication moduleconfigured to exchange communications over the network 505 using a wiredconnection. For instance, the network module 514 may be a modem, anetwork interface card, or another type of network interface device. Thenetwork module 514 may be an Ethernet network card configured to enablethe connected valve unit 510 to communicate over a local area networkand/or the Internet. The network module 514 also may be a voicebandmodem configured to enable the alarm panel to communicate over thetelephone lines of Plain Old Telephone Systems (POTS).

The control unit system that includes the control unit 510 includes oneor more sensors. For example, the monitoring system may include multiplesensors 520. The sensors 520 may include a lock sensor, a contactsensor, a motion sensor, or any other type of sensor included in acontrol unit system. The sensors 520 also may include an environmentalsensor, such as a temperature sensor, a water sensor, a rain sensor, awind sensor, a light sensor, a smoke detector, a carbon monoxidedetector, an air quality sensor, etc. The sensors 520 further mayinclude a health monitoring sensor, such as a prescription bottle sensorthat monitors taking of prescriptions, a blood pressure sensor, a bloodsugar sensor, a bed mat configured to sense presence of liquid (e.g.,bodily fluids) on the bed mat, etc. In some examples, the sensors 520may include a radio-frequency identification (RFID) sensor thatidentifies a particular article that includes a pre-assigned RFID tag.

The control unit 510 communicates with the module 522 and the camera 530to perform monitoring. The module 522 is connected to one or moredevices that enable home automation control. For instance, the module522 may be connected to one or more lighting systems and may beconfigured to control operation of the one or more lighting systems.Also, the module 522 may be connected to one or more electronic locks atthe property and may be configured to control operation of the one ormore electronic locks (e.g., control Z-Wave locks using wirelesscommunications in the Z-Wave protocol. Further, the module 522 may beconnected to one or more appliances at the property and may beconfigured to control operation of the one or more appliances. Themodule 522 may include multiple modules that are each specific to thetype of device being controlled in an automated manner. The module 522may control the one or more devices based on commands received from thecontrol unit 510. For instance, the module 522 may cause a lightingsystem to illuminate an area to provide a better image of the area whencaptured by a camera 530.

The camera 530 may be a video/photographic camera or other type ofoptical sensing device configured to capture images. For instance, thecamera 530 may be configured to capture images of an area within abuilding or within a residential facility 102 monitored by the controlunit 510. The camera 530 may be configured to capture single, staticimages of the area and also video images of the area in which multipleimages of the area are captured at a relatively high frequency (e.g.,thirty images per second). The camera 530 may be controlled based oncommands received from the control unit 510.

The camera 530 may be triggered by several different types oftechniques. For instance, a Passive Infra-Red (PIR) motion sensor may bebuilt into the camera 530 and used to trigger the camera 530 to captureone or more images when motion is detected. The camera 530 also mayinclude a microwave motion sensor built into the camera and used totrigger the camera 530 to capture one or more images when motion isdetected. The camera 530 may have a “normally open” or “normally closed”digital input that can trigger capture of one or more images whenexternal sensors (e.g., the sensors 520, PIR, door/window, etc.) detectmotion or other events. In some implementations, the camera 530 receivesa command to capture an image when external devices detect motion oranother potential alarm event. The camera 530 may receive the commandfrom the controller 512 or directly from one of the sensors 520.

In some examples, the camera 530 triggers integrated or externalilluminators (e.g., Infra-Red, Z-wave controlled “white” lights, lightscontrolled by the module 522, etc.) to improve image quality when thescene is dark. An integrated or separate light sensor may be used todetermine if illumination is desired and may result in increased imagequality.

The camera 530 may be programmed with any combination of time/dayschedules, system “arming state”, or other variables to determinewhether images should be captured or not when triggers occur. The camera530 may enter a low-power mode when not capturing images. In this case,the camera 530 may wake periodically to check for inbound messages fromthe controller 512. The camera 530 may be powered by internal,replaceable batteries if located remotely from the connected valve unit510. The camera 530 may employ a small solar cell to recharge thebattery when light is available. Alternatively, the camera 530 may bepowered by the controller's 512 power supply if the camera 530 isco-located with the controller 512.

In some implementations, the camera 530 communicates directly with themonitoring application server 560 over the Internet. In theseimplementations, image data captured by the camera 530 does not passthrough the connected valve unit 510 and the camera 530 receivescommands related to operation from the monitoring application server560.

The system 500 also includes thermostat 534 to perform dynamicenvironmental control at the property. The thermostat 534 is configuredto monitor temperature and/or energy consumption of an HVAC systemassociated with the thermostat 534, and is further configured to providecontrol of environmental (e.g., temperature) settings. In someimplementations, the thermostat 534 can additionally or alternativelyreceive data relating to activity at a property and/or environmentaldata at a property, e.g., at various locations indoors and outdoors atthe property. The thermostat 534 can directly measure energy consumptionof the HVAC system associated with the thermostat, or can estimateenergy consumption of the HVAC system associated with the thermostat534, for example, based on detected usage of one or more components ofthe HVAC system associated with the thermostat 534. The thermostat 534can communicate temperature and/or energy monitoring information to orfrom the connected valve unit 510 and can control the environmental(e.g., temperature) settings based on commands received from theconnected valve unit 510.

In some implementations, the thermostat 534 is a dynamicallyprogrammable thermostat and can be integrated with the control unit 510.For example, the dynamically programmable thermostat 534 can include thecontrol unit 510, e.g., as an internal component to the dynamicallyprogrammable thermostat 534. In addition, the control unit 510 can be agateway device that communicates with the dynamically programmablethermostat 534.

A module 537 is connected to one or more components of an HVAC systemassociated with a property, and is configured to control operation ofthe one or more components of the HVAC system. In some implementations,the module 537 is also configured to monitor energy consumption of theHVAC system components, for example, by directly measuring the energyconsumption of the HVAC system components or by estimating the energyusage of the one or more HVAC system components based on detecting usageof components of the HVAC system. The module 537 can communicate energymonitoring information and the state of the HVAC system components tothe thermostat 534 and can control the one or more components of theHVAC system based on commands received from the thermostat 534.

In some examples, the system 500 further includes one or more roboticdevices. The robotic devices may be any type of robots that are capableof moving and taking actions that assist in security monitoring. Forexample, the robotic devices may include drones that are capable ofmoving throughout a property based on automated control technologyand/or user input control provided by a user. In this example, thedrones may be able to fly, roll, walk, or otherwise move about theproperty. The drones may include helicopter type devices (e.g., quadcopters), rolling helicopter type devices (e.g., roller copter devicesthat can fly and also roll along the ground, walls, or ceiling) and landvehicle type devices (e.g., automated cars that drive around aproperty). In some cases, the robotic devices may be robotic devicesthat are intended for other purposes and merely associated with themonitoring system 500 for use in appropriate circumstances. Forinstance, a robotic vacuum cleaner device may be associated with themonitoring system 500 as one of the robotic devices and may becontrolled to take action responsive to monitoring system events.

In some examples, the robotic devices automatically navigate within aproperty. In these examples, the robotic devices include sensors andcontrol processors that guide movement of the robotic devices within theproperty. For instance, the robotic devices may navigate within theproperty using one or more cameras, one or more proximity sensors, oneor more gyroscopes, one or more accelerometers, one or moremagnetometers, a global positioning system (GPS) unit, an altimeter, oneor more sonar or laser sensors, and/or any other types of sensors thataid in navigation about a space. The robotic devices may include controlprocessors that process output from the various sensors and control therobotic devices to move along a path that reaches the desireddestination and avoids obstacles. In this regard, the control processorsdetect walls or other obstacles in the property and guide movement ofthe robotic devices in a manner that avoids the walls and otherobstacles.

In addition, the robotic devices may store data that describesattributes of the property. For instance, the robotic devices may storea floorplan and/or a three-dimensional model of the property thatenables the robotic devices to navigate the property. During initialconfiguration, the robotic devices may receive the data describingattributes of the property, determine a frame of reference to the data(e.g., a home or reference location in the property), and navigate theproperty based on the frame of reference and the data describingattributes of the property. Further, initial configuration of therobotic devices also may include learning of one or more navigationpatterns in which a user provides input to control the robotic devicesto perform a specific navigation action (e.g., fly to an upstairsbedroom and spin around while capturing video and then return to a homecharging base). In this regard, the robotic devices may learn and storethe navigation patterns such that the robotic devices may automaticallyrepeat the specific navigation actions upon a later request.

In some examples, the robotic devices may include data capture andrecording devices. In these examples, the robotic devices may includeone or more cameras, one or more motion sensors, one or moremicrophones, one or more biometric data collection tools, one or moretemperature sensors, one or more humidity sensors, one or more air flowsensors, and/or any other types of sensors that may be useful incapturing monitoring data related to the property and users in theproperty. The one or more biometric data collection tools may beconfigured to collect biometric samples of a person in the home with orwithout contact of the person. For instance, the biometric datacollection tools may include a fingerprint scanner, a hair samplecollection tool, a skin cell collection tool, and/or any other tool thatallows the robotic devices to take and store a biometric sample that canbe used to identify the person (e.g., a biometric sample with DNA thatcan be used for DNA testing).

In some implementations, the robotic devices may include output devices.In these implementations, the robotic devices may include one or moredisplays, one or more speakers, and/or any type of output devices thatallow the robotic devices to communicate information to a nearby user.

The robotic devices also may include a communication module that enablesthe robotic devices to communicate with the control unit 510, eachother, and/or other devices. The communication module may be a wirelesscommunication module that allows the robotic devices to communicatewirelessly. For instance, the communication module may be a Wi-Fi modulethat enables the robotic devices to communicate over a local wirelessnetwork at the property. The communication module further may be a 900MHz wireless communication module that enables the robotic devices tocommunicate directly with the control unit 510. Other types ofshort-range wireless communication protocols, such as Bluetooth,Bluetooth LE, Zwave, Zigbee, etc., may be used to allow the roboticdevices to communicate with other devices in the property.

The robotic devices further may include processor and storagecapabilities. The robotic devices may include any suitable processingdevices that enable the robotic devices to operate applications andperform the actions described throughout this disclosure. In addition,the robotic devices may include solid state electronic storage thatenables the robotic devices to store applications, configuration data,collected sensor data, and/or any other type of information available tothe robotic devices.

The robotic devices are associated with one or more charging stations.The charging stations may be located at predefined home base orreference locations in the property. The robotic devices may beconfigured to navigate to the charging stations after completion oftasks needed to be performed for the monitoring system 500. Forinstance, after completion of a monitoring operation or upon instructionby the control unit 510, the robotic devices may be configured toautomatically fly to and land on one of the charging stations. In thisregard, the robotic devices may automatically maintain a fully chargedbattery in a state in which the robotic devices are ready for use by themonitoring system 500.

The charging stations may be contact based charging stations and/orwireless charging stations. For contact based charging stations, therobotic devices may have readily accessible points of contact that therobotic devices are capable of positioning and mating with acorresponding contact on the charging station. For instance, ahelicopter type robotic device may have an electronic contact on aportion of its landing gear that rests on and mates with an electronicpad of a charging station when the helicopter type robotic device landson the charging station. The electronic contact on the robotic devicemay include a cover that opens to expose the electronic contact when therobotic device is charging and closes to cover and insulate theelectronic contact when the robotic device is in operation.

For wireless charging stations, the robotic devices may charge through awireless exchange of power. In these cases, the robotic devices needonly locate themselves closely enough to the wireless charging stationsfor the wireless exchange of power to occur. In this regard, thepositioning needed to land at a predefined home base or referencelocation in the property may be less precise than with a contact basedcharging station. Based on the robotic devices landing at a wirelesscharging station, the wireless charging station outputs a wirelesssignal that the robotic devices receive and convert to a power signalthat charges a battery maintained on the robotic devices.

In some implementations, each of the robotic devices has a correspondingand assigned charging station such that the number of robotic devicesequals the number of charging stations. In these implementations, therobotic devices always navigate to the specific charging stationassigned to that robotic device. For instance, a first robotic devicemay always use a first charging station and a second robotic device mayalways use a second charging station.

In some examples, the robotic devices may share charging stations. Forinstance, the robotic devices may use one or more community chargingstations that are capable of charging multiple robotic devices. Thecommunity charging station may be configured to charge multiple roboticdevices in parallel. The community charging station may be configured tocharge multiple robotic devices in serial such that the multiple roboticdevices take turns charging and, when fully charged, return to apredefined home base or reference location in the property that is notassociated with a charger. The number of community charging stations maybe less than the number of robotic devices.

Also, the charging stations may not be assigned to specific roboticdevices and may be capable of charging any of the robotic devices. Inthis regard, the robotic devices may use any suitable, unoccupiedcharging station when not in use. For instance, when one of the roboticdevices has completed an operation or is in need of battery charge, thecontrol unit 510 references a stored table of the occupancy status ofeach charging station and instructs the robotic device to navigate tothe nearest charging station that is unoccupied.

The system 500 further includes one or more integrated security devices580. The one or more integrated security devices 580 may include anytype of device used to provide alerts based on received sensory data.For instance, the one or more control units 510 may provide one or morealerts to the one or more integrated security devices 580. Additionally,the one or more control units 510 may receive one or more sensory datafrom the sensors 520 and determine whether to provide an alert to theone or more integrated security devices 580.

The system 500 further includes a smart crate lock 586, a smart collar588, and a smart pet fence 590. The smart crate lock 586 may include anytype of device that locks around a crate, such as crate 122, andprovides alerts based on received sensory data. For example, thereceived sensory data may include a lock status, an unlock status, and abroken lock while locked status. The smart collar 588 may include anytype of device that locks around an animal that acts as a leash,harness, or collar for a pet. The smart collar 588 may act as atransmitter and provide a signal to the controller 512. The strength ofthe signal indicates the location of the smart collar 588, the directionof the smart collar 588, and the battery strength of the smart collar588. In addition, the controller 512 can ping the smart collar 588 tosee if it responds. The smart pet fence 590 may include any type ofdevice that monitors a detection with a particular location and thesmart collar 588 and provides alerts based on the detection. Forexample, the provided alert may include issuing a shock or vibration tothe smart collar 588, or issuing an alert to the control unit 510indicating of a detection with the smart collar 588 s.

The sensors 520, the module 522, the camera 530, the thermostat 534, thesmart crate lock 586, the smart collar 588, and the one or moreintegrated security devices 580 communicate with the controller 512 overcommunication links 524, 526, 528, 532, 584, 592, 594, and 596. Thecommunication links 524, 526, 528, 532, 584, 592, 594 and 596, may be awired or wireless data pathway configured to transmit signals from thesensors 520, the module 522, the camera 530, the thermostat 534, thesmart crate lock 586, the smart collar 588, the smart pet fence 590, andthe one or more integrated security devices 580 to the controller 512.The sensors 520, the module 522, the camera 530, the thermostat 534, thesmart crate lock 586, the smart collar 588, the smart pet fence 590, andthe one or more integrated security devices 580 may continuouslytransmit sensed values to the controller 512, periodically transmitsensed values to the controller 512, or transmit sensed values to thecontroller 512 in response to a change in a sensed value.

The communication links 524, 526, 528, 532, 536, 584, 592, 594 and 596may include a local network. The sensors 520, the module 522, the camera530, the thermostat 534, the smart crate lock 586, the smart collar 588,the smart pet fence 590, the one or more integrated security devices580, and the controller 512 may exchange data and commands over thelocal network. The local network may include 802.11 “Wi-Fi” wirelessEthernet (e.g., using low-power Wi-Fi chipsets), Z-Wave, Zigbee,Bluetooth, “Homeplug” or other “Powerline” networks that operate over ACwiring, and a Category 5 (CAT5) or Category 6 (CAT6) wired Ethernetnetwork. The local network may be a mesh network constructed based onthe devices connected to the mesh network.

The monitoring application server 560 is an electronic device configuredto provide monitoring services by exchanging electronic communicationswith the control unit 510, the one or more user devices 540 and 550, andthe central alarm station server 570 over the network 505. For example,the monitoring application server 560 may be configured to monitorevents (e.g., alarm events) generated by the control unit 510. In thisexample, the monitoring application server 560 may exchange electroniccommunications with the network module 514 included in the control unit510 to receive information regarding events (e.g., alerts) detected bythe control unit 510. The monitoring application server 560 also mayreceive information regarding vents (e.g., alerts) from the one or moreuser devices 540 and 550.

In some examples, the monitoring application server 560 may route alertdata received from the network module 514 or the one or more userdevices 540 and 550 to the central alarm station server 570. Forexample, the monitoring application server 560 may transmit the alertdata to the central alarm station server 570 over the network 505.

The monitoring application server 560 may store sensor and image datareceived from the monitoring system and perform analysis of sensor andimage data received from the monitoring system. Based on the analysis,the monitoring application server 560 may communicate with and controlaspects of the control unit 510 or the one or more user devices 540 and550.

The central alarm station server 570 is an electronic device configuredto provide alarm monitoring service by exchanging communications withthe control unit 510, the one or more mobile devices 540 and 550, andthe monitoring application server 560 over the network 505. For example,the central alarm station server 570 may be configured to monitoralerting events generated by the control unit 510. In this example, thecentral alarm station server 570 may exchange communications with thenetwork module 514 included in the control unit 510 to receiveinformation regarding alerting events detected by the control unit 510.The central alarm station server 570 also may receive informationregarding alerting events from the one or more mobile devices 540 and550 and/or the monitoring application server 560.

The central alarm station server 570 is connected to multiple terminals572 and 574. The terminals 572 and 574 may be used by operators toprocess alerting events. For example, the central alarm station server570 may route alerting data to the terminals 572 and 574 to enable anoperator to process the alerting data. The terminals 572 and 574 mayinclude general-purpose computers (e.g., desktop personal computers,workstations, or laptop computers) that are configured to receivealerting data from a server in the central alarm station server 570 andrender a display of information based on the alerting data. Forinstance, the controller 512 may control the network module 514 totransmit, to the central alarm station server 570, alerting dataindicating that a sensor 520 detected motion from a motion sensor viathe sensors 520. The central alarm station server 570 may receive thealerting data and route the alerting data to the terminal 572 forprocessing by an operator associated with the terminal 572. The terminal572 may render a display to the operator that includes informationassociated with the alerting event (e.g., the lock sensor data, themotion sensor data, the contact sensor data, etc.) and the operator mayhandle the alerting event based on the displayed information.

In some implementations, the terminals 572 and 574 may be mobile devicesor devices designed for a specific function. Although FIG. 5 illustratestwo terminals for brevity, actual implementations may include more (and,perhaps, many more) terminals.

The one or more user devices 540 and 550 are devices that host anddisplay user interfaces. For instance, the user device 540 is a mobiledevice that hosts one or more native applications (e.g., the smart homeapplication 542). The user device 540 may be a cellular phone or anon-cellular locally networked device with a display. The user device540 may include a cell phone, a smart phone, a tablet PC, a personaldigital assistant (“PDA”), or any other portable device configured tocommunicate over a network and display information. For example,implementations may also include Blackberry-type devices (e.g., asprovided by Research in Motion), electronic organizers, iPhone-typedevices (e.g., as provided by Apple), iPod devices (e.g., as provided byApple) or other portable music players, other communication devices, andhandheld or portable electronic devices for gaming, communications,and/or data organization. The user device 540 may perform functionsunrelated to the monitoring system, such as placing personal telephonecalls, playing music, playing video, displaying pictures, browsing theInternet, maintaining an electronic calendar, etc.

The user device 540 includes a smart home application 542. The smarthome application 542 refers to a software/firmware program running onthe corresponding mobile device that enables the user interface andfeatures described throughout. The user device 540 may load or installthe smart home application 542 based on data received over a network ordata received from local media. The smart home application 542 runs onmobile devices platforms, such as iPhone, iPod touch, Blackberry, GoogleAndroid, Windows Mobile, etc. The smart home application 542 enables theuser device 540 to receive and process image and sensor data from themonitoring system.

The user device 550 may be a general-purpose computer (e.g., a desktoppersonal computer, a workstation, or a laptop computer) that isconfigured to communicate with the monitoring application server 560and/or the control unit 510 over the network 505. The user device 550may be configured to display a smart home user interface 552 that isgenerated by the user device 550 or generated by the monitoringapplication server 560. For example, the user device 550 may beconfigured to display a user interface (e.g., a web page) provided bythe monitoring application server 560 that enables a user to perceiveimages captured by the camera 530 and/or reports related to themonitoring system. Although FIG. 5 illustrates two user devices forbrevity, actual implementations may include more (and, perhaps, manymore) or fewer user devices.

In some implementations, the one or more user devices 540 and 550communicate with and receive monitoring system data from the controlunit 510 using the communication link 538. For instance, the one or moreuser devices 540 and 550 may communicate with the control unit 510 usingvarious local wireless protocols such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zwave,Zigbee, HomePlug (ethernet over powerline), or wired protocols such asEthernet and USB, to connect the one or more user devices 540 and 550 tolocal security and automation equipment. The one or more user devices540 and 550 may connect locally to the monitoring system and its sensorsand other devices. The local connection may improve the speed of statusand control communications because communicating through the network 505with a remote server (e.g., the monitoring application server 560) maybe significantly slower.

Although the one or more user devices 540 and 550 are shown ascommunicating with the control unit 510, the one or more user devices540 and 550 may communicate directly with the sensors and other devicescontrolled by the control unit 510. In some implementations, the one ormore user devices 540 and 550 replace the control unit 510 and performthe functions of the control unit 510 for local monitoring and longrange/offsite communication.

In other implementations, the one or more user devices 540 and 550receive monitoring system data captured by the control unit 510 throughthe network 505. The one or more user devices 540, 550 may receive thedata from the control unit 510 through the network 505 or the monitoringapplication server 560 may relay data received from the control unit 510to the one or more user devices 540 and 550 through the network 505. Inthis regard, the monitoring application server 560 may facilitatecommunication between the one or more user devices 540 and 550 and themonitoring system.

In some implementations, the one or more user devices 540 and 550 may beconfigured to switch whether the one or more user devices 540 and 550communicate with the control unit 510 directly (e.g., through link 538)or through the monitoring application server 560 (e.g., through network505) based on a location of the one or more user devices 540 and 550.For instance, when the one or more user devices 540 and 550 are locatedclose to the control unit 510 and in range to communicate directly withthe control unit 510, the one or more user devices 540 and 550 usedirect communication. When the one or more user devices 540 and 550 arelocated far from the control unit 510 and not in range to communicatedirectly with the control unit 510, the one or more user devices 540 and550 use communication through the monitoring application server 560.

Although the one or more user devices 540 and 550 are shown as beingconnected to the network 505, in some implementations, the one or moreuser devices 540 and 550 are not connected to the network 505. In theseimplementations, the one or more user devices 540 and 550 communicatedirectly with one or more of the monitoring system components and nonetwork (e.g., Internet) connection or reliance on remote servers isneeded.

In some implementations, the one or more user devices 540 and 550 areused in conjunction with only local sensors and/or local devices in ahouse. In these implementations, the system 500 only includes the one ormore user devices 540 and 550, the sensors 520, the module 522, thecamera 530, and the robotic devices. The one or more user devices 540and 550 receive data directly from the sensors 520, the module 522, thecamera 530, and the robotic devices and sends data directly to thesensors 520, the module 522, the camera 530, and the robotic devices.The one or more user devices 540, 550 provide the appropriateinterfaces/processing to provide visual surveillance and reporting.

In other implementations, the system 500 further includes network 505and the sensors 520, the module 522, the camera 530, the thermostat 534,and the robotic devices are configured to communicate sensor and imagedata to the one or more user devices 540 and 550 over network 505 (e.g.,the Internet, cellular network, etc.). In yet another implementation,the sensors 520, the module 522, the camera 530, the thermostat 534, andthe robotic devices (or a component, such as a bridge/router) areintelligent enough to change the communication pathway from a directlocal pathway when the one or more user devices 540 and 550 are in closephysical proximity to the sensors 520, the module 522, the camera 530,the thermostat 534, and the robotic devices to a pathway over network505 when the one or more user devices 540 and 550 are farther from thesensors 520, the module 522, the camera 530, the thermostat 534, and therobotic devices. In some examples, the system leverages GPS informationfrom the one or more user devices 540 and 550 to determine whether theone or more user devices 540 and 550 are close enough to the sensors520, the module 522, the camera 530, the thermostat 534, and the roboticdevices to use the direct local pathway or whether the one or more userdevices 540 and 550 are far enough from the sensors 520, the module 522,the camera 530, the thermostat 534, and the robotic devices that thepathway over network 505 is required. In other examples, the systemleverages status communications (e.g., pinging) between the one or moreuser devices 540 and 550 and the sensors 520, the module 522, the camera530, the thermostat 534, and the robotic devices to determine whethercommunication using the direct local pathway is possible. Ifcommunication using the direct local pathway is possible, the one ormore user devices 540 and 550 communicate with the sensors 520, themodule 522, the camera 530, the thermostat 534, and the robotic devicesusing the direct local pathway. If communication using the direct localpathway is not possible, the one or more user devices 540 and 550communicate with the sensors 520, the module 522, the camera 530, thethermostat 534, and the robotic devices using the pathway over network505.

In some implementations, the system 500 provides end users with accessto images captured by the camera 530 to aid in decision making. Thesystem 500 may transmit the images captured by the camera 530 over awireless WAN network to the user devices 540 and 550. Becausetransmission over a wireless WAN network may be relatively expensive,the system 500 uses several techniques to reduce costs while providingaccess to significant levels of useful visual information.

In some implementations, a state of the monitoring system and otherevents sensed by the monitoring system may be used to enable/disablevideo/image recording devices (e.g., the camera 530). In theseimplementations, the camera 530 may be set to capture images on aperiodic basis when the alarm system is armed in an “Away” state, butset not to capture images when the alarm system is armed in a “Stay”state or disarmed. In addition, the camera 530 may be triggered to begincapturing images when the alarm system detects an event, such as analarm event, a door-opening event for a door that leads to an areawithin a field of view of the camera 530, or motion in the area withinthe field of view of the camera 530. In other implementations, thecamera 530 may capture images continuously, but the captured images maybe stored or transmitted over a network when needed.

The described systems, methods, and techniques may be implemented indigital electronic circuitry, computer hardware, firmware, software, orin combinations of these elements. Apparatus implementing thesetechniques may include appropriate input and output devices, a computerprocessor, and a computer program product tangibly embodied in amachine-readable storage device for execution by a programmableprocessor. A process implementing these techniques may be performed by aprogrammable processor executing a program of instructions to performdesired functions by operating on input data and generating appropriateoutput. The techniques may be implemented in one or more computerprograms that are executable on a programmable system including at leastone programmable processor coupled to receive data and instructionsfrom, and to transmit data and instructions to, a data storage system,at least one input device, and at least one output device. Each computerprogram may be implemented in a high-level procedural or object-orientedprogramming language, or in assembly or machine language if desired; andin any case, the language may be a compiled or interpreted language.Suitable processors include, by way of example, both general and specialpurpose microprocessors. Generally, a processor will receiveinstructions and data from a read-only memory and/or a random accessmemory. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computer programinstructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory,including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, such asErasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), Electrically ErasableProgrammable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), and flash memory devices;magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks;magneto-optical disks; and Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM). Anyof the foregoing may be supplemented by, or incorporated in, speciallydesigned ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits).

It will be understood that various modifications may be made. Forexample, other useful implementations could be achieved if steps of thedisclosed techniques were performed in a different order and/or ifcomponents in the disclosed systems were combined in a different mannerand/or replaced or supplemented by other components. Accordingly, otherimplementations are within the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A monitoring system that is configured to monitora property, the monitor system comprising: a sensor that is located atthe property and that is configured to generate sensor data; and amonitor control unit that is configured to: receive a first indicationthat a resident of the property will be receiving a delivery during adelivery time; based on the sensor data and during the delivery time,determine that a pet, that resides at the property, has been restrained;and provide, to a delivery person, a second indication that the pet atthe property has been restrained.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein themonitor control unit is configured to: in response to providing, to thedelivery person, the second indication that the pet at the property hasbeen restrained, receive a notification from the delivery personconfirming that the pet in the property is restrained after the deliveryperson has arrived at the property; based on receiving the notificationfrom the delivery person confirming that the pet in the property isrestrained, store the sensor data and data indicating a restrained pet;and update a model or a rule used to determine whether a pet isrestrained based on sensor data using the stored sensor data and thestored data indicating a restrained pet.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein: the sensor is a camera and the sensor data is image data, andthe monitor control unit is further configured to determine that the pethas been restrained by: receiving, from a smart collar connected to thepet, smart collar data; and based on the smart collar data and the imagedata, determining that the pet has been restrained in the property. 4.The system of claim 3, wherein the monitor control unit is configuredto: receive data indicating that an additional pet resides at theproperty; and based on the image data and the smart collar data,determine that the pet and the additional pet have been restrained. 5.The system of claim 3, wherein the monitor control unit is configuredto: receive data indicating that an additional pet resides at theproperty; based on the image data and the smart collar data, determinethat at least one of the pet and the additional pet have not beenrestrained; and provide, to the resident or the other resident of theproperty, a notification indicating that at least one of the pet or theadditional pet have not been restrained.
 6. The system of claim 3,wherein the smart collar data comprises an identifier of the smartcollar, a GPS coordinate of the smart collar, and an indication ofwhether the smart collar is attached to the pet.
 7. The system of claim1, wherein the monitor control unit is configured to: receive a thirdindication that the resident of the property will be receiving anadditional delivery during an additional delivery time; based on thesensor data, determine that no pets reside at the property; and provide,to the delivery person, a third indication that no pets reside at theproperty.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the monitor control unit isconfigured to: determine that the pet is located within an electronicpet fence at the property during the delivery time; before the deliverytime, adjust a boundary of the electronic pet fence to generate a safezone that restricts pet movement into the safe zone and that providesthe delivery person access to the property; determine that the deliveryperson has accessed and vacated the property; and in response todetermining that the delivery person has accessed and vacated theproperty, adjust the boundary of the electronic pet fence to provide thepet access to the safe zone.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein themonitor control unit is configured to: receive a third indication thatthe resident of the property will be receiving an additional deliveryduring an additional delivery time; based on the sensor data and beforethe delivery time, determine that the pet is not restrained; based ondetermining that the pet is not restrained, provide a notification to asmart collar of the pet to encourage the pet to vacate a safe zone thatis defined by an electronic pet fence at the property, wherein the safezone provided the delivery person access to the property; adjust aboundary of the electronic pet fence to generate the safe zone;determine that the delivery person has accessed and vacated theproperty; and in response to determining that the delivery person hasaccessed and vacated the property, adjust the boundary of the electronicpet fence to provide the pet access to the safe zone.
 10. The system ofclaim 9, wherein the notification provided to the smart collar comprisesat least one of a vibration, a noise, and a shock.
 11. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the monitor control unit is configured to: based ondetermining that the pet resides at the property, determine that theproperty will likely be unoccupied during the delivery time; andprovide, to the resident or another resident of the property, aninstruction to restrain the pet before the delivery time.
 12. Acomputer-implemented method, comprising: receiving, by a monitoringsystem that is configured to monitor a property, a first indication thata resident of the property will be receiving a delivery during adelivery time; receiving, by the monitoring system, sensor data from asensor that is located at the property; based on the sensor data,determining, by the monitoring system, that a pet, that resides at theproperty, has been restrained; and providing, by the monitoring systemand to a delivery person, a second indication that the pet at theproperty has been restrained.
 13. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 12, comprising: in response to providing, to the delivery person,the second indication that the pet at the property has been restrained,receiving, by the monitoring system, a notification from the deliveryperson confirming that the pet in the property is restrained after thedelivery person has arrived at the property; based on receiving thenotification from the delivery person confirming that the pet in theproperty is restrained, storing, by the monitoring system, the sensordata and data indicating a restrained pet; and updating, by themonitoring system, a model or a rule used to determine whether a pet isrestrained based on sensor data using the stored sensor data and thestored data indicating a restrained pet.
 14. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 12, wherein: the sensor is a camera and the sensor datais image data, and determining that the pet has been restrainedcomprises: receiving, from a smart collar connected to the pet, smartcollar data; and based on the smart collar data and the image data,determining that the pet has been restrained in the property.
 15. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 14, comprising: receiving, by themonitoring system, data indicating that an additional pet resides at theproperty; and based on the image data and the smart collar data,determining, by the monitoring system, that the pet and the additionalpet have been restrained.
 16. The computer-implemented method of claim14, comprising: receiving, by the monitoring system, data indicatingthat an additional pet resides at the property; based on the image dataand the smart collar data, determining, by the monitoring system, thatat least one of the pet and the additional pet have not been restrained;and providing, to the resident or the other resident of the property, anotification indicating that at least one of the pet or the additionalpet have not been restrained.
 17. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 14, wherein the smart collar data comprises an identifier of thesmart collar, a GPS coordinate of the smart collar, and an indication ofwhether the smart collar is attached to the pet.
 18. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 12, comprising: receiving, by themonitoring system, a third indication that the resident of the propertywill be receiving an additional delivery during an additional deliverytime; based on the sensor data, determining, by the monitoring system,that no pets reside at the property; and providing, by the monitoringsystem and to the delivery person, a third indication that no petsreside at the property.
 19. The computer-implemented method of claim 12,comprising: determining, by the monitoring system, that the pet islocated within an electronic pet fence at the property during thedelivery time; before the delivery time, adjusting, by the monitoringsystem, a boundary of the electronic pet fence to generate a safe zonethat restricts pet movement into the safe zone and that provides thedelivery person access to the property; determining, by the monitoringsystem, that the delivery person has accessed and vacated the property;and in response to determining that the delivery person has accessed andvacated the property, adjusting, by the monitoring system, the boundaryof the electronic pet fence to provide the pet access to the safe zone.20. The computer-implemented method of claim 12, comprising: receiving,by the monitoring system, a third indication that the resident of theproperty will be receiving an additional delivery during an additionaldelivery time; based on the sensor data and before the delivery time,determining, by the monitoring system, that the pet is not restrained;based on determining that the pet is not restrained, providing, by themonitoring system, a notification to a smart collar of the pet toencourage the pet to vacate a safe zone that is defined by an electronicpet fence at the property, wherein the safe zone provided the deliveryperson access to the property; adjusting, by the monitoring system, aboundary of the electronic pet fence to generate the safe zone;determining, by the monitoring system, that the delivery person hasaccessed and vacated the property; and in response to determining thatthe delivery person has accessed and vacated the property, adjusting, bythe monitoring system, the boundary of the electronic pet fence toprovide the pet access to the safe zone.